Bottle Bill – Michigan

The Michigan Department of Treasury (Treasury) administers the collection and distribution of unredeemed deposits under the Bottle Deposit Law. Distributors and manufacturers of beverages sold in returnable containers must file annual reports and pay all unredeemed beverage container deposits to the Michigan Department of Treasury.

Resources:

• Michigan Beverage Containers Initiated Law of 1976 (MCL Sections 445.571 through 445.576 )
• Bottle Deposit Law FAQ

Is wine included in the bottle bill?

• No

Are wine (coolers) products or wine-based ready-to-drink beverages included in the bottle bill?

• Yes – “Mixed Wine Drink” products

Definitions:

• “Beverage” means a soft drink, soda water, carbonated natural or mineral water, or other nonalcoholic carbonated drink; beer, ale, or other malt drink of whatever alcoholic content; or a mixed wine drink or a mixed spirit drink.
• “Mixed wine drink” means a drink or similar product marketed as a wine cooler and containing less than 7% alcohol by volume, consisting of wine and plain, sparkling, or carbonated water and containing any 1 or more of the following: Nonalcoholic beverages, Flavoring, Coloring materials, Fruit juices, Fruit adjuncts, Sugar, Carbon dioxide, Preservatives.
• “Mixed spirit drink” means a drink containing 10% or less alcohol by volume consisting of distilled spirits mixed with nonalcoholic beverages or flavoring or coloring materials and which may also contain water, fruit juices, fruit adjuncts, sugar, carbon dioxide, or preservatives; or any spirits based beverage, regardless of the percent of alcohol by volume, that is manufactured for sale in a metal container.

Are wine containers included in the bottle bill?

• No

Are wine product containers included in the bottle bill?

• Yes – mixed wine drink containers

Definition:

• “Beverage container” means an airtight metal, glass, paper, or plastic container, or a container composed of a combination of these materials, which, at the time of sale, contains 1 gal. or less of a beverage.

• Not Applicable as wine containers are excluded from the bottle program.

Labeling Requirements for Mixed Wine Drink Containers:

• Every beverage container sold or offered for sale by a dealer within this state shall clearly indicate by embossing or by a stamp, a label, or other method securely affixed to the beverage container, the refund value of the container and the name of this state. A dealer or distributor may, but is not required to, refuse to accept from a person an empty returnable container which does not state on the container the refund value of the container and the name of this state. This subsection shall not apply to a refillable container having a refund value of not less than 10 cents which has a brand name permanently marked on it. Each container of this type shall clearly indicate, by a method securely affixed to the container, that the container is returnable for deposit.

What are the CRV fees?

• a 10¢ refundable deposit

What is the handling fee?

• Michigan does not have a handling fee.