Okay....as much as I hate government overreach, this article is a gross misrepresentation.
I lived in Michigan. They charge a ten cent DEPOSIT on each bottle or can sold. When you return them you are reclaiming your DEPOSIT. By bringing in a bunch of cans from out of state you are stealing money that is owed to customers who bought those products.
This has always been illegal in Michigan, and has absolutely nothing to do with “improper recycling”.
Why is it a felony? Why such a draconian penalty?
The fraud is charging the 10¢ so-called “deposit” in the first place. That is where the stealing occurs. Most people in Michigan are not bothered if someone comes in from out of state and collects a bit of revenue that way; that’s actually industrious.
And the second half of the article title focuses on “overcriminalization”. Thus, it is not wrong to call Michigan’s law legislation on “improper recycling”, because they are defining “proper recycling” in a certain manner.
What annoys me is stores not taking back bottles that were not brands they carry.
They get reimbursed for the bottles anyway.
Beat me to it. I see this as a legitimate bust. I will add that unless the guy is an idiot, he knew exactly what he was doing. And if he IS an idiot, well, as John Wayne said, “Life is Hard. It’s harder if you’re stupid.”