State Rep. Joseph Pavlov last week voted in support of legislation that would help Michigan beverage distributors maintain the infrastructure needed to operate the state’s bottle return system.

House Bill 5517 would provide a refundable tax credit of one-half cent per returnable container sold, helping offset the costs distributors incur while collecting, processing, and recycling billions of containers each year under Michigan’s longstanding bottle deposit law.

Pavlov said many residents are familiar with returning cans and bottles but may not realize the scale of the system operating behind the scenes.

“Michigan’s bottle deposit system has been an effective tool for reducing litter and promoting recycling for decades,” said Pavlov (R-Smiths Creek). “But maintaining that system requires a massive amount of work from distributors who pick up, transport, and process billions of containers each year. This legislation helps ensure the infrastructure supporting that system remains strong.”

Distributors handle more than 3.8 billion beverage containers annually in Michigan, a process industry leaders say costs more than $60 million each year. Pavlov said the plan helps support those operations while keeping the state’s recycling system working effectively for Michigan residents.

House Bill 5517 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.