The Iowa Legislature has been working on an updated Bottle Bill during the 2022 session, looking to increase the handling fee for redemption to help those who wish to collect. State Representative Brooke Boden tells KNIA News she was happy to be a part of updating a bill that has been in place for 40 years and talked about in many legislative sessions, and it looks like progress is being made.

“It would increase the handling fee for redemption and retailers from one cent to three cents if they accept bottles for return. That’s been a big issue in making sure we continue that recycling process, if there are no funds there nobody really wants to do that. Of course times have changed, we have more options for recycling and some people are choosing to just plain old recycle them anyway. But in order for anyone to invest in having a recycling center that handling fee had to be increased.”

Boden also said an opt-out was also added for grocery stores if they have food protection personnel on site. For more information, tune in to today’s Let’s Talk Indianola.