MAINE PUBLIC • March 29, 2023
Ever since it was implemented 45 years ago, Maine's bottle deposit law has been credited with reducing litter and increasing recycling rates. That's largely insulated it from sweeping changes. But inflation, labor shortages and the costly sorting of a growing array of bottles and cans are posing new challenges for the program. State lawmakers are now considering a range of bills aimed at halting the spread of what's known as "redemption center deserts." "There are 321 licensed redemption centers in the state. This means that 53 redemption centers have shut their doors since 2019," Senate President Troy Jackson told the environment committee when presenting his bill to increase the handling fee.