Michigan bottle return rate drops to 69.4%, leaving millions unclaimed
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In 2025, Michigan residents returned only 69.4% of bottles and cans with deposits, the lowest rate since 1990.
Consumers in Michigan paid $389.7 million in deposits but only recovered $270.4 million, leaving $119.2 million unclaimed. Michigan first implemented a 10-cent deposit per container in 1978 for carbonated and alcoholic beverages, which initially reduced roadside litter by 41% overall and 84% for beverage containers.
Since 2019, the return rate has steadily declined, falling from 73% during the pandemic to 69.4% in 2025, due to limited return infrastructure and temporary collection point closures. The unclaimed money goes to a soil cleanup and recovery fund and retailers, but is not reinvested to improve recycling systems, raising concerns among experts.
Senator Sean McCann proposed bill 416 to expand the deposit system to include non-carbonated drinks and cider, establish universal return options at any store, and aim for an 85% return rate. The Michigan Department of Treasury cautioned that illegal return practices may affect the accuracy of current figures, highlighting the need for stricter regulations.
