Beverage Containers

Vermont’s Bottle Bill provides a deposit-refund system for certain beverage containers purchased in Vermont. Covered containers can be returned to a certified redemption center or participating retailer to receive the deposit refund.

Covered beverages include beer and other malt beverages, carbonated non-alcoholic beverages such as soda and sparkling water, and liquor and spirits.

To receive a refund, containers must have the Vermont redemption message and be empty, clean, and unbroken. Containers purchased outside of Vermont are not eligible for a Vermont deposit refund.

Find a redemption center:
Vermont Certified Redemption Centers – Vermont DEC

Learn more about Vermont’s Bottle Bill:
Vermont’s Bottle Bill – Vermont DEC

Not all beverage containers are covered by the Bottle Bill. For example, wine, hard cider, non-carbonated beverages such as bottled water and milk, and beverages purchased outside Vermont are not currently covered.

Note for recycling: Bottle Bill containers are handled through the redemption system rather than regular blue-bin recycling. BCSWA identifies glass beverage containers as a form of special recycling that should not be placed in single-stream recycling.