The proposed act would require every beverage container sold or offered for sale in the Commonwealth to have a refund value of at least five (5) cents, and would prohibit the sale of metal beverage containers with flip-tops. It would apply to containers for beer and other malt beverages and to soft drinks. It would not apply to containers for dairy products or natural fruit juices, nor to containers which are biodegradable.

The act would authorize the Secretary of Environmental Affairs to certify containers as reusable or recyclable. It contains both enforcement and penalty provisions and would take effect on February 1, 1977.