IOWA  – The Iowa Beverage Association (IBA), the trade association representing Iowa’s non-alcoholic beverage producers, bottlers and distributors, announced the launch of Empties.org to help Iowans find local redemption centers for their beverage bottles and cans. The new initiative will help make redemption centers more accessible by raising visibility of their locations around the state.

With more than 300 redemption locations around the state, Iowans are able to leverage the new website to find locations near them to help recycle their empty containers and redeem their deposit. Iowa’s bottle bill deposit law covers all carbonated and alcoholic beverages. Consumers pay a five-cent deposit when purchasing a beverage container and receive a five-cent refund when returning it to a store or redemption center.

In addition to the environmental and economic benefits of taking empties back to a redemption center, recycling old containers is also the fastest way to give them new life. The beverage industry has been committed to making bottles that are 100% recyclable, even the caps, so they can be reused and made into new bottles, cans and other products. Recycled bottle materials can go into now bottles, and also clothing, carpeting, and even dog beds.

“Recycling your cans and bottles isn’t just about redeeming your nickel, it’s helping to divert waste from landfills, conserve natural resources, and support a more sustainable future,” said Jon Murphy, Executive Director of the Iowa Beverage Association. “Our association, along with our colleagues in the industry, are committed to helping Iowans bring their bottles back to a redemption center near them. Empties.org provides an opportunity to help with recycling, and put some change back in the pockets of Iowans.”

Iowa’s non-alcoholic beverage industry employs more than 3,060 people, and supports more than 11,828 workers in restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores and movie theatres who depend on beverage sales for their livelihoods.