A report from the USA's Princeton University looking at legislation that mandates a minimum, refundable deposit for all containers used in the sale of carbonated malt beverages (beer) and soft drinks is one policy option for reducing the rate of solid waste generation. In its simplest form such legislation requires that all parties in the distribution train from brewers and bottlers to retailers charge a minimum deposit, say 5 cents per container, which must be refunded on presentation of an empty equivalent container. Such legislation neither mandates the use of refillable containers nor bans the use of nonreturnable ones. * The intent of such proposals, however, is that containers be used that are either refillable on cleaning or recyclable into new containers or other goods. If enacted, such legislation would require that the voluntary deposit system employed by industry for many years for refillable bottles be extended to all types of beverage containers.
