Returnable Beer Bottles

D. Bjorn Ursus Maritmus Solutum

When I was a kid, Dad bought beer by the case. Granted, a case often lasted six months to a year, but he bought it by the case. When the case was empty, he tossed the case into the back of the Chevy pickup and went to town for another case. A deposit was paid on the bottles, and woe be unto us kids if we took one of those bottles (empty of course) for target practice.

I like this idea. I like the idea of paying a small deposit and then recycling the bottles so they can be used again. I'm big on recycling anyway, having grown up in the '70's. Cans, bottles, paper, plastic, you name it, if I can recycle it, then, I do it. After ten years ago, the store where I buy my beer quite handling returnable bottles--and when I asked why, all they could say was "Our distributor doesn't carry them any more."

Not long ago, I was talking with a local distributor and I told him that story. I told him how much I miss having that brown cardboard carton of heavy, corrugated cardboard sitting in the corner of the utility room. I told him how I felt this was very environmentally friendly. Told him I'd love it if bottlers started using them more and they were carried again. And you know what he told me?

"They were never taken out of production."

I was flabbergasted.

Now, lately, I've found that I can get beer in returnable bottles. She brought a half case with her to a party I had a few months back, and since she's leaving the area, she left the remains here. I asked her where she got them, and she told me about a store in Minneapolis. I'm not quite ready to drive 300 miles for beer, though. I'm not sure I'll do that anytime soon, but, at least I know they're out there. I'll be looking for them, hunting for them, searching for them. And once I find a bottle shop that carries them...

They'll have MY business.

Now...in case you're wondering...it's too early to be drinking beer...especially on a Sunday...but, it's something that's been on my thoughts for a while now. Along with returnable pop and milk bottles. There should be more things that are returnable.

Then again...some things shouldn't be, too. But, that's a different post.

Peace.