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HR 586 101th Congress House

Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling Act

Official title: To require a refund value for certain beverage containers, and for other purposes.

Introduced: May 8, 1989 See on congress.gov
Environmental Protection Beverage containersFederal preemptionFines (Penalties)Packaging
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Recycling of waste productsRefuse and refuse disposal
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This bill died when the 101st Congress ended
It never became law before the 101st Congress (1989–1990) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 6, 1989
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Competitiveness.
Jan 20, 1989
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jan 20, 1989
Introduced in House
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 Latest action February 6, 1989

Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Competitiveness.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling Act - Prohibits the sale of beer, mineral water, soda water, or carbonated soft drinks in beverage containers by retailers and distributors unless such containers carry a refund value of not less than five cents. Requires that retailers and distributors pay the refund on returned containers of brands sold by such retailers or distributors.

Prohibits distributors and retailers from selling beverages in metal beverage containers with detachable openings.

Preempts inconsistent State or local laws.

Prohibits State and local governments from imposing any tax on the collection or return of refund values.

Imposes penalties of up to $1,000 for violations.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 6
All 6 Democratic 4
D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Apr 19, 1990
 D
Wyden, Ron
Oregon · Mar 15, 1990
Faleomavaega, Eni
· Oct 24, 1989
 D
Pallone, Frank
New Jersey · May 8, 1989
LIPINSKI, WILLIAM
· Jan 20, 1989
 D
Pelosi, Nancy
California · Jan 20, 1989
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 586: Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling Act. 101st Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-586/
MLA
"H.R. 586: Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling Act." 101st Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-586/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 586, 101st Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-586/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 586: Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-586/)
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