SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The new Iowa legislation recently approved by the Office of the Governor has brought about drastic transformation in the bottle and can redemption program. The automated technology, which has now come into force, tends to eliminate the need for consumers to sort cans. Furthermore, the redemption process has become more convenient and organized.
Till date, consumers had to take empty cans and bottles to stores to redeem their deposits. The grocery chains have been finding it difficult to manage the state-mandated redemption program. Also, bringing empty cans and bottles inside food establishments posed health threats as well. The provisions of the new bill allows grocers to retire their collection program if they have a redemption center within a 10 or 15 mile radius.
The number of redemption centres are significantly down from a decade ago, with many Iowa counties having no centres at all. The new bill may result in revival of redemption centres as it proposes to increase the handling fees from 1 to 3 cents per container.
The redemption centres are witnessing huge investment in latest technologies. This include new machinery that could count around 5,000 can or bottles per hour and technologies that could scan QR codes on bags, thereby enabling direct deposit of refunds to consumer’s account.
