ME LD1721

Expands the definition of "like materials" for beverage container commingling from 4 categories (plastic, aluminum, other metal, glass) to 11 categories, including separate classifications for clear vs. colored glass, clear vs. colored PET plastic, and clear vs. colored high-density polyethylene

Prohibits initiators of deposit from requiring dealers or redemption centers to sort containers beyond what is required by approved commingling agreements

Removes authority for commingling groups to refuse beverage containers solely because they were processed by reverse vending machines or account-based bulk processing programs

Requires the cooperative, beginning July 15, 2025, to negotiate processing payment agreements with dealers and redemption centers for each beverage container material type

Clarifies that recycling value of beverage containers includes commodity value, transportation costs, and proportional system cost savings