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It is 3X, and when it's per can that does add up to a significant amount. That would add $1.20 to a 12-pack case, which usually cost just $6 here (admittedly a state that doesn't do deposits).

Bottle deposits were a thing in the 1970s when I was a kid. Those bottles were heavy glass, made to be returned, washed, and re-used many times. I'm not sure it was legislated however, I think it was just what the local bottlers did to get their bottles back.

It was a great way to earn money as a kid in the 70s too. Wander around and find old beer/coke/milk bottles and return them for the deposit.

1976 for Michigan(and 10c at that). My mom and I used to save every can when we lived in MI, I remember doing the deposits, and thought it was crazy that we were getting money for that.

Glass bottles have 8 Cent deposit in Germany and plastic bottles/tin cans have 25 Cent. I rarely ever not bring a plastic bottle or can back, but I do let glass bottles stand around near garbage cans for the bottle collectors.

I see the same behavior among many others. It's just anecdotal, but that 3x seems to make a huge difference.