Why we're not getting more of those all-at-once bottle machines soon
By Keith Matheny
Published on March 7, 2026.
New bulk-return machines that allow shoppers to redeem an entire bag of plastic bottles and cans at once are not widely available in Michigan due to their cost and the state's incentive structure, which allows retailers to make more money when fewer containers are returned. The R1, a machine similar to the R1 used in Europe and other U.S. bottle and can deposit states, is currently only in use at two Meijer stores in Wyoming and Waterford. However, the bulk machines are more expensive, and retailers don't make money by increasing the number of bottles they redeem. Under Michigan's bottle bill, retailers make more if there are fewer returns. The money known as escheat, which is sent to the state Department of Treasury, is returned to retailers collecting the containers and 75% to EGLE's Cleanup and Redevelopment Fund for environmental remediation and pollution prevention.
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