A. An applicant for approval of a redemption center shall submit a $100 license fee with an initial application and subsequent annual applications.   [PL 2021, c. 186, §19 (NEW).]

B. An applicant for approval as an initiator of deposit:  

C. An applicant for approval as a contracted agent for the collection of beverage containers shall submit a $500 annual license fee with each application.   [PL 2021, c. 186, §19 (NEW).]

A. The health and safety of the public and of redemption center employees, including sanitation protection when food is also sold on the premises;   [PL 2023, c. 482, §33 (AMD).]

B. The convenience for the public, including the distribution of centers by population or by distance, or both;   [PL 2019, c. 526, §10 (AMD).]

C. The proximity of a proposed redemption center to existing redemption centers and the potential impact that the location of a proposed redemption center may have on an existing redemption center;   [PL 2023, c. 482, §33 (AMD).]

D. The record of compliance with this chapter and rules adopted by the department pursuant to this chapter of a proposed owner of a redemption center;   [PL 2023, c. 482, §33 (AMD).]

E. The hours of operation of a proposed redemption center and existing redemption centers in the proximity of a proposed redemption center;   [PL 2023, c. 482, §33 (AMD).]

F. The size of a proposed redemption center, including the specific areas for customer drop-off and beverage container storage; and   [PL 2023, c. 482, §33 (NEW).]

G. Access to a proposed redemption center for customers and pick-up agents, including vehicle and pedestrian access and loading and unloading zones.   [PL 2023, c. 482, §33 (NEW).]

A. The department may license up to 5 redemption centers in a municipality with a population over 30,000;   [PL 2015, c. 166, §14 (NEW).]

B. The department may license up to 3 redemption centers in a municipality with a population over 20,000 but no more than 30,000; and   [PL 2015, c. 166, §14 (NEW).]

C. The department may license up to 2 redemption centers in a municipality with a population over 5,000 but no more than 20,000.   [PL 2015, c. 166, §14 (NEW).]

A. An owner of a redemption center who is renewing the license of a redemption center licensed by the department as of April 1, 2009 need not comply with subsection 3;   [PL 2015, c. 166, §14 (NEW).]

B. An entity that is a distributor licensed by or registered with the department need not comply with subsection 3;   [PL 2019, c. 526, §10 (AMD).]

C. A reverse vending machine is not considered a redemption center for purposes of subsection 3 when it is located in a licensed redemption center; and   [PL 2015, c. 166, §14 (NEW).]

D. The department may grant a license that is inconsistent with the requirements set out in subsection 3 only if the applicant has demonstrated a compelling public need for an additional redemption center in the municipality.   [PL 2015, c. 166, §14 (NEW).]

A. The beverage container collection system to be implemented must be designed to provide a geographical distribution of redemption locations and of redemption options for consumers, including, but not limited to, manual sorting, reverse vending machines, bag drop programs and account-based bulk processing programs, including those options that provide for immediate payment of the refund value to a consumer as well as those that provide payment of the refund value within a specified period of time following beverage container drop-off.   [PL 2023, c. 482, §34 (NEW).]

B. In establishing requirements for the beverage container collection system to be implemented, the department shall consider geographical limitations, population densities and reasonable days and hours of operation for redemption centers and may consider options for expanding redemption opportunities for consumers at locations other than redemption centers, including, but not limited to, at dealers and transfer stations.   [PL 2023, c. 482, §34 (NEW).]