Michigan Bottle Return Rates Fell Significantly

The state saw return rates drop to 69.4% in 2025 as independent retailers sought an end to in-store requirements.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Local Shops

Screen-print poster illustration of a single empty aluminum soda can, rendered in warm, layered mustard and teal tones. — Michigan's beverage container return rate fell to 69.4% in 2025 as retailers continue to lobby for an end to mandatory in-store collection requirements. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Michigan's bottle return rate declined to 69.4% in 2025, marking a sharp contrast from the 98.2% rate achieved in 1990. Amid this drop, many retailers are pushing for legislative changes to remove bottle collection requirements from grocery stores.

Why it matters

Retailers argue that the mandatory collection process is labor-intensive and creates health and safety concerns for employees. The debate highlights a growing friction between the state's long-standing deposit program and the practical operational realities for modern independent stores.

Michigan collected $389.7 million in bottle deposits in 2025 while refunding $270.4 million to consumers. Over 90 percent of members from the Midwest Independent Retailers Association now support removing the collection mandate from stores.

The players

Midwest Independent Retailers Association

This trade organization represents more than 1,000 independent grocery and convenience stores across Michigan.

The details

Independent retailers without automated machinery must manually handle, sort, and store returned containers, a process they describe as time-consuming and unsanitary. Consequently, the industry is advocating for legislation that would sunset the bottle bill requirement entirely within a few years.

The Michigan bottle deposit program officially began in 1976.
The state recorded a 98.2% bottle return rate in 1990.
The return rate fell to 69.4% during the 2025 calendar year.

Culture Shift

This push to end in-store collection reflects a broader shift away from legacy retail mandates toward streamlined, automated operations. It challenges the historical legacy of the Michigan Bottle Deposit Law of 1976 by prioritizing retailer labor efficiency over traditional recycling convenience.

Residents may find it increasingly difficult to return containers at smaller, independent grocery stores as retailers push to reduce their collection duties. This shift could limit convenient redemption options for consumers who rely on neighborhood stores for bottle returns.

The takeaway

The decline in redemption rates suggests that the current system faces significant operational hurdles that may necessitate a state policy overhaul. Consumers should prepare for potential changes to where and how they can return containers as the legislative debate continues in Lansing.