Oklahoma Lawmaker Plans Bottle-Deposit Program

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A state lawmaker hopes to implement a 5-cent beverage container deposit program in Oklahoma as a way to reduce litter and provide an infusion of much-needed cash for the state.

State Rep. Ryan Kiesel held an interim study this week at the state Capitol and says he will introduce a bill in the upcoming legislative session.

The bill would require consumers to pay an extra 5 cents for each beverage container, including glass bottles, aluminum cans and plastic water bottles. When consumers return the empty containers to the retailer or redemption centers, the deposit is refunded.

Kiesel, D-Seminole, says money from unredeemed deposits could generate millions for state coffers.

The plan already has drawn opposition from the Oklahoma Grocers Association. 

For more information on what other states are doing, check out bottlebill.org.