A bottle bill review is needed Iowa

We understand it took years for the Legislature to adopt changes to the state’s 5-cent can and bottle deposit law. Finally, in 2022, the impasse broke.

So, the notion of revisiting the law might prompt some lawmakers to break out in a cold sweat.

But the truth is, the legislation that dramatically altered the law also requires the Legislative Fiscal Committee to report on the bill’s impact before the 2026 legislative session. The committee is required to issue a report no later than Jan. 31.

It makes sense to report to lawmakers and Iowans whether the new law is working as advertised. Most Iowans support the overall deposit law and many warned changes would make it more difficult to redeem beer bottles, pop cans and other containers.

Did that happen? A review would give us an answer.

But the fiscal panel has not met, and no meeting is scheduled.

That doesn’t sit well with the Sierra Club.

“We hope the Legislative Fiscal Review Committee will hold their meeting soon so we can get to work improving the popular and important program,” Jess Mazour with Sierra Club Iowa Chapter said in the press release, according to the Iowa Capital Digest’s Kami Coons. “It’s time to schedule the meeting now so they can do a thorough review and not violate Iowa law.”

Questions surround one key aspect of the bill. Beverage retailers, such as grocery stores, can opt out of accepting containers for redemption if, in a county with more than 30,000 people, if they are 10 miles or less from a redemption center. In smaller counties under 30,000, a redemption center must be located within 15 miles.

A review could tell us if these distance rules are being followed, or if there are too few redemption centers to fill the gap created by opt-outs.

A 2024 24 survey by the Sierra Club found that 62% of those surveyed reported a redemption center in their area closed. Sixty percent of respondents said they now find it harder to return cans and bottles.

That’s troubling. The goal of the project is to keep deposit containers out of road ditches and landfills. So, making it harder to collect our nickels is a flaw that must be fixed.

Lawmakers must follow the law and review the deposit system. We expect a clear-eyed assessment that doesn’t sugar coat problems. And it would be a mistake to just hold a quick, substance-free meeting to fulfill the law’s requirement.

Yes, any changes would be tough, but that’s why lawmakers are picked to sit in that fancy building in Des Moines. They’re expected to solve problems, especially the ones they create.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com