Contact Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Reminder: Delaware beverage deposit redemption ends January 31 for consumers

DOVER (Jan. 20, 2011) – Delaware’s 5-cent beverage container deposit ended December 1, 2010, but consumers still have until January 31 to redeem any bottles and containers on which they paid the deposit.

After January 31, 2011 bottles will no longer be accepted for redemption in Delaware. Retailers who redeem bottles for consumers have until February 28, 2011 to redeem bottles to their distributors. The beverage container transition is part of comprehensive recycling improvements coming to Delaware through the state’s new Universal Recycling Law, for which the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has oversight.

Included in the law is a new 4-cent recycling fee for qualifying beverage containers that previously carried the 5-cent deposit. (The recycling fee is paid by the beverage retailer.) The temporary fee will fund a recycling grant and low interest loan program to expand recycling in Delaware. This will help reduce increased landfilling costs, create jobs, create raw materials for manufacturing, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save energy, and conserve resources.

For more information visit www.recycling.delaware.gov.

Vol. 41, No. 22