Iowans for Returnable Beverage Containers.

Iowans for Returnable Beverage Containers began in 1977 with the goal of gaining support for the passage of a bill for a returnable beverage container program in Iowa. In 1962, ninety-five percent of pop containers sold in the United States had been in returnable containers, but by 1977 that figure was down to thirty percent. Iowans for Returnable Beverage Containers wished to increase that number of available returnable beverage containers. The group consisted of individuals and public and private organizations including Citizens United for Responsible Energy (CURE), Community Action Research Group (CARG), Iowa Wildlife Federation and the Iowa Public Interest Research Group (IPIRG). The group organized local meetings, informed bottling companies about the bill, and contacted a variety of groups including the media and county conservation boards.