Michigan’s aluminium cans and bottle return rate plummets by 76% post-pandemic

A temporary prohibition on returning aluminium cans and bottles for deposits may have resulted in long-term changes in Michigan citizens' recycling practices. Michigan's aluminium cans and bottle return rate, which was over 89 per cent before the pandemic, has dropped to 76 per cent lately.

This is causing concern among environmentalists and businesses, especially recycling firms that depend on a stable supply of aluminium and glass. And it's reignited discussion about whether Michigan's once-vaunted bottle law should be updated. Recycling advocates believe that the main reason for Michigan's low return rate is the state's return restrictions, as the state only takes aluminium cans and plastic soda bottles for redemption.

Environmental supporters of Michigan's 45-year-old bottle prohibition believe 10 cents may no longer be enough to entice consumers to return items to stores. According to Conan Smith, president and CEO of the Michigan Environmental Council, it may be time for an increase, but he describes it as "sort of a last resort."

"You're really losing out, so it becomes very hard to make money out of it. When you have low volume, each can becomes exponentially more (expensive) to pick up from the grocery store, (put) in a truck and bring back to an expensive facility," said Shayna Barry, Schupan's director of governmental affairs & strategic partnerships.

Schupan Recycling, Michigan's biggest independent beverage container recycler, said its equipment is designed to handle many aluminium cans and bottles. However, with less recyclable commodities, the firm becomes more difficult to operate effectively.

Michigan, formerly the nation's aluminium cans and bottle return leader, had begun declining before the epidemic. However, it suffered a significant blow in March 2020, when COVID-19 first appeared in Michigan, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer temporarily halted collecting returnable beverage containers to combat the virus's spread.