it afloat.

Metro Mineral Water & Trading Company said that it had noticed a significant decline in the number of mineral (soda) bottles being returned by consumers.

And the 69-year-old bottling operation warned that it might be forced to close down if its current appeal for empty bottles proves unsuccessful.

A company spokesman said because Metro was the only refundable beverage container on the market in Bermuda, consumers might not realise the bottles were sold with a 20-cent return policy.

Therefore, it has launched a campaign to encourage residents to return their empty bottles to the plant at Hermitage Road in Devonshire or to the store of purchase.

The company is also circulating posters informing consumers that they will receive $5.40 for every case of empty 12-ounce bottles returned or 20-cents for each bottle.