Deposit rules
Bottle deposit states, and what changed for Connecticut redemption centers
Ten states charge a deposit on drink containers. This page lists each state's deposit and its 2025 return rate, then covers Connecticut's license rule for redemption centers, which started July 1, 2026.
Last checked October 18, 2026
Short answer
The 10 deposit states are California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Oregon and Vermont. The deposit is 5 cents in most, and 10 cents in Connecticut, Michigan and Oregon. In Connecticut, anyone who runs a redemption center now needs a license from the state environmental agency.
Deposit and return rate by state
The return rate is the share of covered containers that came back through the deposit system in 2025, as the state agencies reported it to the Container Recycling Institute. It leaves out containers recycled at the curb.
| State | Deposit per container | 2025 return rate |
|---|---|---|
| California | 5¢ under 24 oz, 10¢ at 24 oz or more, 25¢ for wine and spirits in a box, bladder or pouch | 59% |
| Connecticut | 10¢ | 92% |
| Hawaii | 5¢ | 52% |
| Iowa | 5¢ | No 2025 figure in the table |
| Maine | 5¢, and 15¢ for wine and liquor of 50 mL or more | 69% |
| Massachusetts | 5¢ | 33% |
| Michigan | 10¢ | 69% |
| New York | 5¢ | 68% |
| Oregon | 10¢ | 88% |
| Vermont | 5¢, and 15¢ for liquor | 68% |
Sources: Container Recycling Institute, 10-state table, version August 1, 2026. Last checked October 18, 2026. Hawaii's 2023 figure is calendar year, and the other years are fiscal years. Iowa's row has a 49% figure for 2022 only.
Which drinks are covered differs by state. Milk does not appear on any state's covered list in that table, and wine and spirits are covered in some states and not others. Check your state agency's list before you bring a mixed bag of containers.
Connecticut: the 2026 redemption center license
Connecticut DEEP says that on and after July 1, 2026, anyone who wants to establish a redemption center, or who already runs one, must apply to DEEP for a license to operate. The application form goes to DEEP's central permit unit, and DEEP says a $2,500 registration fee must come with it. The application is not processed without the fee.
This applies to the people who run centers. The DEEP page does not list which centers hold a license, so we cannot tell you whether a specific center is licensed yet. If a center near you has changed its hours or stopped taking containers, call it before you drive over.
Deposit
10 cents per covered container, up from 5 cents on January 1, 2024.
Handling fee
2.5 cents for beer and 3.5 cents for other beverages. Public Act 26-2 cuts it by up to 1 cent from May 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 for centers that redeem 50 million or more containers a year on average and do not use automated barcode scanners.
Return rate
The Container Recycling Institute table shows 44% for 2023, 65% for 2024 and 92% for 2025. The table does not say why it rose.
Not covered
Wine, distilled liquor, spirit-based hard seltzers, hard ciders, dairy and plant-based milk, infant formula, and electrolyte drinks labeled as medical food.
Sources: Connecticut DEEP: Connecticut Bottle Bill (content last updated September 17, 2026) and the Container Recycling Institute table above. Last checked October 18, 2026.
Find a redemption center
Browse Connecticut recycling listings or search by city or ZIP code. For glass bottles that fall outside a deposit program, see the glass bottle recycling guide. The paint and mattress recycling fee guide covers the other state fee programs.
Questions about bottle deposits
Which states have a bottle deposit?
The Container Recycling Institute lists 10: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Oregon and Vermont. The deposit is 5 cents in most of them and 10 cents in Connecticut, Michigan and Oregon.
How much is the bottle deposit in Connecticut?
10 cents per covered container. The Container Recycling Institute's July 2026 table lists the Connecticut deposit as 10 cents, and Connecticut DEEP says the deposit rose from 5 to 10 cents on January 1, 2024.
Does a Connecticut redemption center need a license now?
Yes. Connecticut DEEP says that on and after July 1, 2026, anyone who wants to open or already runs a redemption center must apply to DEEP for a license. The application comes with a $2,500 registration fee.
Does the new license change what I get back for my cans and bottles?
DEEP describes the license as a requirement for people who operate redemption centers. Its page does not say the refund you receive changes. The deposit shown in the table above is what the Container Recycling Institute lists for Connecticut.
What is the Connecticut handling fee?
It is the per-container fee that applies to redemption centers. The Container Recycling Institute lists 2.5 cents for beer and 3.5 cents for other beverages. Under Public Act 26-2, DEEP reduces it by up to one cent for certain large centers that do not use barcode scanners, from May 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
Sources
- Container Recycling Institute: Redemption Rates and Other Features of 10 U.S. State Beverage Container Deposit Programs (August 1, 2026)
- Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection: Connecticut Bottle Bill
Last checked October 18, 2026. Deposit laws change, so confirm with your state agency before relying on a figure here. This page is general information, not legal advice.