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HR 6531 112th Congress House

Bottle Recycling Climate Protection Act of 2012

Official title: To amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require a refund value for certain beverage containers, and to provide resources for State pollution prevention and recycling programs, and for other purposes.

Introduced: September 21, 2012 Introduced by: Markey, Edward J. Democratic · Massachusetts See on congress.gov
Environmental Protection Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCivil actions and liabilityConsumer affairsEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Retail and wholesale tradesSolid waste and recyclingState and local government operationsState and local taxationUser charges and fees
This bill died when the 112th Congress ended
It never became law before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) 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
Sep 26, 2012
Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.
Sep 21, 2012
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Sep 21, 2012
Introduced in House
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 Latest action September 26, 2012

Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Bottle Recycling Climate Protection Act of 2012 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to prohibit retailers and distributors from selling beverages in containers that do not display a statement of a refund value of five cents. Defines "beverage" as an alcoholic or non-alcoholic, carbonated or uncarbonated liquid that is intended for human consumption.

Requires: (1) distributors to collect the refund value for each beverage sold to retailers by a deposit initiator, and (2) retailers to collect the refund value for each beverage sold to consumers. Requires: (1) retailers to pay the refund on returned unbroken containers of brands sold for up to a specified number of containers per day based on the square footage of the retailer's space (excluding any container contaminated by a hazardous waste), and (2) distributors to pay the refund on returned containers of brands sold, plus at least three cents per container for handling costs.

Directs each deposit initiator to pay to a state, quarterly, unclaimed refund amounts, which shall be available to the state for programs designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Prohibits distributors and retailers from intentionally disposing of containers subject to this Act or any metal, glass, or plastic from such containers (other than the top or seal) in landfills or solid waste disposal facilities.

Exempts states that have implemented laws requiring beverage container deposits or that have demonstrated achievement of specified recycling, reuse, or recovery rates for beverage containers.

Prohibits states or political subdivisions that impose taxes on the sale of beverage containers from imposing any tax on the amount attributable to the refund value of such containers.

Provides for the adjustment for inflation of the refund amounts at ten-year intervals.

Prescribes civil penalties for violations of this Act.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 6531: Bottle Recycling Climate Protection Act of 2012. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-6531/
MLA
"H.R. 6531: Bottle Recycling Climate Protection Act of 2012." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-6531/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 6531, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-6531/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 6531: Bottle Recycling Climate Protection Act of 2012](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-6531/)
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