There has been movement on a bill in the Iowa Legislature to change a law that’s been untouched for 40 years.

The commonly known “bottle bill,” Senate File 2378, was passed earlier this legislative session by the Senate and most recently was passed by the House with some changes. The bill includes increasing the handling fee from one cent to three cents for all retailers, not just redemption centers, which is what was in the Senate bill. Another amendment the House made was allowing retailers to opt-out of redeeming cans and bottles, as long as they sell fresh produce and have a mobile redemption center on their property that can send payments to the consumer. 

District 24 Senator Jesse Green of Boone talks about the big picture that this bill could lead to in the future.

“I’m really optimistic here that something’s going to happen. With this increase in profit you’re going to see increased competition, you’re going to see distributors probably do their own redemption as well because instead of paying redemption centers three cents, they might want to save that money themselves, they’re ultimately the ones that pay out that handling fee. This is our one opportunity I think to get something done and let’s make it happen.”   

The bill now goes back to the Senate for further consideration.