This report examines the economic and employment impacts of Iowa’s deposit return system.
The report firstly examines the economic impact of, and the jobs created by, the current system. It then goes on to identify the economic and employment benefits resulting from implementing a modernized system with an expanded scope, including sports drinks, hard cider, non-sparkling water, non-carbonated energy drinks, fruit and vegetable beverages and ready-to-drink tea and coffee. In addition to expanding the scope, the modernized DRS would also raise the deposit level from 5 to 10 cents.
In its current form, Iowa’s deposit return system contributes:
- 917 direct jobs;
- 1,621 direct, indirect and induced jobs;
- $20m in commodity value of deposit material;
- $28m in value of unclaimed deposits;
- $77m in Gross Value Add to the economy; and,
- $6m in tax revenue.
A modernized Iowa deposit return system would create:
- 1,393 direct jobs;
- 1,621 direct, indirect and induced jobs;
- $27m in commodity value of deposit material;
- $48m in value of unclaimed deposits;
- $116m in Gross Value Add to the economy; and,
- $9m in tax revenue.
