Your Cans Will No Longer Be Accepted At Select Iowa Walmarts

Those who aren't taking their bottles and cans back to get their deposit in Iowa are really wasting a huge chunk of money every year.

Iowa is one of 10 states that has a "bottle bill" that allows you to return select bottles and cans to be redeemed for a few cents. In Iowa, bottles and cans that are eligible for a return are worth 5 cents. But no matter where you buy your cans or bottles in Iowa, the store charges you a 5-cent deposit. So, if you don't bring your bottles and cans back to be redeemed, you're wasting a lot of money.

One of those places where you have been able to take bottles and cans back has been Walmart. With changes in Iowa's bottle deposit laws back in 2022, select Walmarts will soon no longer be accepting empty cans or bottles.

Iowa Changes Its Bottle Deposit Laws

In 2022, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed SF2378. The changes to the law went into effect on Jan. 1, 2023, and some of those changes include businesses being able to opt out of accepting bottles and returns.

In the new law, Code 455C.4 gives several ways for stores to be able to stop accepting returns. Stores that sell containers must still charge the 5-cent deposit but some stores like Walmart and Fareway may now refuse to accept the containers for reimbursement. They have to meet certain criteria including:

• Stores in counties with a population of 30,000 or greater can opt out of redemption activities if an approved redemption center is within 10 miles. Stores in counties with a population of less than 30,000 can opt-out if an approved redemption center is within 15 miles. Stores with an agreement with an approved redemption center for the operation of a mobile redemption system can opt out of redemption activities.
• Stores that hold food establishment licenses, have a US-FDA certified food protection manager and sell food that is time/temperature controlled for safety can opt out of redemption activities regardless of how far away an approved redemption center is.
• Stores that opt out of redeeming containers for any of these reasons must clearly display on their front door a notice that provides the location of the nearest approved redemption center.

And that is exactly what these two Iowa Walmart stores are doing.

Davenport Walmart Stores To Stop Taking Cans and Bottles

In two social media post this week, both Walmart store in Davenport have announced that starting August 14th, 2024. They will not be accepting cans and bottles for redemption.

That's right. Walmart on Elmore Ave. and W Kimberly Rd. won't be taking your empty cans or bottles although they sell them.

Both social media posts reference the changes to the Bottle Deposit Law in Code 455C that were made after the passing of SF2378.

Both Walmart stores refer people to take their empty bottles and cans to Eastern Iowa Recyclers Inc. on West 72nd St. near the Machine Shed. Eastern Iowa Recyclers Inc. is less than 10 miles away from both Walmart stores.