DoE reminds beverage businesses to comply with the container deposit law

The Department of the Environment is reminding beverage importers, distributors and dealers that they are legally required to collect a deposit on certain drink containers and refund that money when the empty containers are returned. Under the Returnable Containers Act, the deposit is five cents for plastic containers smaller than half a litre and ten cents for plastic containers larger than half a litre. A fifteen-cent deposit applies to glass bottles and containers made of metal, aluminum or steel, including beer cans.  The law applies to containers used for carbonated soft drinks, beer and other malt beverages. Businesses must have a system in place to collect the deposit when the beverage is sold and allow consumers to redeem the empty container afterward.  The Department says inspections will be conducted to identify businesses that are not following the law. Importers, distributors or dealers found without a deposit and refund system could face legal action.  Members of the public are encouraged to return their empty containers to participating dealers or distributors instead of throwing them away or littering.