Vermont Celebrates 50 Years of Bottle Deposit Law

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On this day in history, Vermont became just the second state to enact a 5-cent deposit law on beverage containers, a landmark piece of environmental legislation that has helped reduce litter and waste in the state for the past 50 years.

Why it matters

Vermont's bottle deposit law, which requires consumers to pay a small refundable fee on bottles and cans, has been widely credited with keeping the state's roadsides and parks cleaner while also diverting tons of recyclable materials from landfills. The law has served as a model for other states looking to promote more sustainable consumption habits.

The details

The Vermont bottle deposit law, passed by the state legislature on April 7, 1972, mandated a 5-cent refundable deposit on all beer, soft drink, and mineral water containers sold in the state. This provided an incentive for consumers to return their empty bottles and cans, rather than simply discarding them. Over the decades, the law has helped reduce litter, increase recycling rates, and keep valuable materials out of landfills.

• The Vermont bottle deposit law was enacted on April 7, 1972.
• On April 7, 2009, the Vermont legislature overrode the governor's veto to legalize same-sex marriage, making it the first state to do so through legislative action rather than a court ruling.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Vermont is considering expanding its bottle deposit law to include additional container types, such as wine and liquor bottles, to further reduce waste.