Fareway in Decorah and all other Fareway stores will NOT resume redeeming cans and bottles

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has extended many provisions of her statewide Emergency Declaration for another month, but the temporary suspension of required grocery stores to accepted pop cans and bottles and other drink containers is not one of those provisions.  Grocery stores and other retailers can now accept the returns.

But Fareway Stores—one of Iowa's largest grocery chains—says it will not be accepting containers for redemption in its Iowa stores.

A news release from the company says, "Health authorities continue to advise that COVID-19 and other viruses are transmitted through respiratory droplets. Accepting potentially contaminated containers inside our stores presents a great risk of harm to the health and safety of our employees and customers."

Each Fareway store in Iowa—including the one in Decorah—will post a notice listing nearby redemption centers where customers may redeem bottles and cans.