Following a protracted discussion among numerous stakeholders, the House Environmental Matters Committee has defeated HB 1085, legislation to impose a statewide 5 cent refundable deposit on bottles, cans, and other beverage containers.

From coverage in the Baltimore Sun:

The measure, HB1085, sponsored by the committee’s chairwoman, Del. Maggie McIntosh, a Baltimore city Democrat, had the backing of environmental groups, who noted that states with similar container deposit laws had much higher recycling rates than those without.

…

But the new bill was nevertheless opposed by the beverage industry and by retailers, who contended it would hurt their business and was unneeded, given community recycling programs across the state. The Maryland Association of Counties also objected.