Deposit values
Maine DEP lists a 15¢ refundable deposit on spirits and wine containers and a 5¢ refundable deposit on covered beer, hard cider, wine coolers, soda, noncarbonated water and other covered alcoholic or noncarbonated drinks sold in Maine.
Handling fee
Maine law requires reimbursement to a redemption center of at least 6¢ per returned container for containers picked up on or after September 1, 2023. The deposit itself is pass-through money; the handling fee is the center’s per-container handling revenue.
Plastic bags and the “30¢ bag” number
Beginning July 15, 2025, Maine law requires the cooperative to provide the plastic bags used by redemption centers or reimburse requested bag costs within six weeks. The approved MBRG plan’s budget models bag reimbursement at 30¢ per bag, but that 30¢ figure is a program/budget rate—not the statutory handling fee. Centers should use the current MBRG reimbursement direction that applies to them.
Payment timing after pickup
The statutory requirements for the cooperative’s plan call for payment to a dealer or redemption center within 10 calendar days of a beverage-container pickup for applicable deposits and handling fees, except when a written agreement with the cooperative or member commingling group provides otherwise.
October 1, 2026: full commingling
The approved plan sets October 1, 2026 as the start of Phase 2 full commingling. Manual centers move to sorting by material type, size and deposit value instead of brand. The cooperative coordinates pickup-location allocation and pickup schedules under the new system.
See the October 1 sort guide and current count table →
What Maine DEP says is not covered
- Milk and dairy-derived products
- Maine-produced apple cider and blueberry juice
- Seafood, meat or vegetable broths or soups
- Instant drink powders
- Products designed to be consumed in a frozen state
- Liquid syrups, concentrates or extracts
Registration data
Maine law requires initiators of deposit to register container labels and UPCs. The law places registration with the cooperative beginning July 15, 2026, while DEP still hosts the public downloadable registration list as of this review.
Read why the registration list is a reference—not an acceptance decision →
This page is designed for quick reference, not as a replacement for Maine law, Chapter 426 rules or written MBRG instructions. If a current official document conflicts with this summary, use the official document.