LANSING — Michiganders seeking their 10-cent deposit on bottles and cans will soon have more options for redeeming their deposits, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury.

Starting on Oct. 5, all grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, gas stations and other retailers with reverse vending machines must reopen their bottle-return facilities and resume the collection of returnable bottles and cans to refund outstanding deposits.

Retailers with other types of bottle return facilities — including facilities staffed by employees and requiring more than minimal person-to-person contact — may reopen those return facilities at their discretion, officials said.

All retailers reopening their bottle-return facilities must ensure that those facilities comply with all state-mandated safety protocols and restrictions, including the most recent state-mandated safeguards to protect workers.

In addition, retailers may take any or all the following steps at their discretion:

≤ Limit the number of beverage containers that may be returned by a single individual per day to a deposit refund amount of $25, as outlined in state law.

≤ Establish special or limited hours of operation for return facilities.

≤ Limit the number of available and operating reverse vending machines.

≤ Periodically close return facilities as needed for cleaning and supply management.

≤ Implement other procedures or restrictions as necessary to promote safety, efficiency or both.

If individuals recycle their bottles or cans instead of returning to a retailer for the 10-cent deposit, state law outlines that 75% of the previously collected bottle deposit money is automatically deposited into the state’s Cleanup and Redevelopment Trust Fund and 25% is returned to the retailers.

Under the previous bottle and can return guidance outlined, retailers with return facilities located at the front of the store or housed in a separate area and serviced exclusively by reverse vending machines were required to reopen.

The collection of returnable beverage containers was suspended by an executive order issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on March 23.

“This temporary suspension supported Michigan’s fight against the coronavirus by permitting grocery stores and other retailers to immediately shift employees from container collection and deposit redemption duties to other areas where they were more urgently needed, and to protect the health and safety of retailers, their employees and all Michigan residents,” the press release states.

The Michigan Treasury Department will issue further guidance regarding additional phases of the re-establishment of the bottle deposit program when health and safety conditions are appropriate.

Additional information about the expansion of bottle and can return opportunities can be found on the Michigan Treasury Department’s website.

Aspirus gives update

Aspirus Wausau Hospital senior leadership spoke to the public Wednesday about the current COVID-19 situation at the hospital, which is located in Wausau, Wisconsin.

“The hospital is seeing record numbers of COVID-19 positive patients that need to be hospitalized,” a press release from Aspirus states. “This is concurrent with the increase of positive test results being reported by state officials.”

In the release, officials said: “Aspirus leadership wants the public to know that all their facilities are safe for patients and that the public can help by following (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommended guidelines on helping slow down the spread of the virus.”

Whitmer issues statement on 200,000 lives lost to COVID-19

After the United States passed 200,000 COVID-19 related deaths Tuesday, Whitmer released the following statement to honor and mourn those who have lost their lives and their families:

“As we remember and honor all of those we have lost to this virus, we must not forget that each life was a person who had a story: plans, dreams, and more life to live. We owe it to our families, our neighbors, all of the brave frontline workers, and to our fellow Michiganders to continue taking this virus seriously and prevent more devastation in our communities. My heart is with the families of those whose lives were tragically cut short by COVID-19.

“Over the past six months, Michigan has worked hard to slow the spread of COVID-19. And Michigan is not alone. During this time, the whole country has been grappling with this emergency. At this moment, all 50 states and the federal government are in some sort of declared emergency. We have made tremendous progress as a state and as a nation, but we must stay the course. As we continue to face the biggest health emergency of our lifetime, we may never know the number of lives that have been saved, but we do know that in doing our part by wearing a mask, remaining six feet apart, and staying home and staying safe, we have saved many lives.

“As we honor each of the more than 200,000 American lives lost to this virus, I hope it serves as a reminder to each and every one of us to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 and help save lives. I know this loss weighs heavily, but Michiganders are tough. We will get through this together.”