Michigan May Add Water Bottles to Bottle Deposit Law in 2026

There was a time we wouldn't dare throw away a bottle or can in Michigan. If we ever did, "That's 10 cents!" or "You're seriously throwing away a dime?' would be the opening sentence of a long lecture from one or both of your parents. That 10 cents a can came in real handy later in life, especially as a teenager looking to fill their gas tank.

RELATED: Michigan Faces Another Time Change—But Maybe the Last One

Michigan’s Original 1976 Bottle Deposit Law

According to BottleBill.org, Michigan's original bottle deposit law was enacted in November of 1976, and back then, a dime went a lot further than it does today. Back then, pop and beer were the most popular beverages. In mid-seventies Michigan, we would have scoffed at the idea of paying for a bottle of water—most of us were drinking from the hose. Fast forward to the present day, and Serious Eats reports that the most popular packaged beverage is water.

What Containers Are Covered Today — Not Water

Of course, bottled water isn't a member of the Michigan deposit club either. Currently, only carbonated beverages, wine coolers, and canned cocktails are subject to the law. This means more plastic bottles are heading to landfills. One of Michigan's lawmakers views this as an issue and has repeatedly attempted to change it.

Retailer Pushback & Logistical Challenges

Senator Sean McCann introduced a bill that would expand Michigan's current bottle deposit law, making water bottles and other items part of the program. Retailers groan about the logistics of making this happen, proving they love handling sticky cans about as much as we do. McCann's bill, if passed, would put the question of whether the system needs updating to voters in 2026.

RELATED: Real Michigan Lawsuit: Dead Mouse in Monster Energy Can

The flip side? If McCann's bill were to make it to the ballot and pass, all of us would pay a dime more for bottled water and other beverages moving forward. Michigan currently has a 70.4% refund rate for bottle deposits, compared to 98.2% in 1990. Numbers don't lie, and unless something changes, expect to see more cans in landfills as we drop more dimes in the trash.