S.285 – Amendment to Allow State to Collect Unclaimed Bottle Deposits

Pro-environment vote: YES

This amendment updated the state’s bottle deposit law to authorize the state to collect any unclaimed deposits. With this provision, Vermont joined the majority of states with bottle bill programs in collecting this unclaimed property, rather than allowing beverage corporations to collect it. Ultimately the legislature adopted language to send this money – estimated at $1.5 to $4 million per year – to the state’s Clean Water Fund.

Status: Enacted by Legislature; Senate vote 19-11.