In a world where plastic bottles dominate the beverage industry, one family-run business in Wisconsin is preserving a bygone tradition. Twig’s Beverage, based in Shawano County, remains committed to bottling its sodas in returnable glass—a practice nearly extinct in modern America.

### A Century-Old Tradition

In the early 20th century, the concept of returning glass soda bottles was commonplace. Customers paid a deposit for these robust containers and received their money back upon returning them for reuse. However, as plastic became the norm in the 1960s, this eco-friendly system largely disappeared. Yet, Twig’s Beverage, established in 1951 by Floyd Hartwig, refuses to abandon this practice.

Ben Hartwig, the company’s vice-president and Floyd’s grandson, explains the enduring appeal: “We’ve been seeing some families come in for years. Cases get passed down and the next family member gets to bring them in. That nostalgic feel is something that long-time customers love; they cherish those cases like gold.”

### A Unique Business Model

At Twig’s, customers in Shawano County pay a $20 deposit per case of 24 bottles. They can even visit the factory in Shawano to refill the same bottles, some of which have been in circulation for over 60 years. This not only fosters community ties but also sustains a tradition of sustainability and nostalgia.

Despite the ownership of Twig’s signature Sun Drop drink by Keurig Dr Pepper, Twig’s continues to produce it under license for its local market. Remarkably, they are the last to offer Sun Drop in returnable glass bottles, also opting for real sugar over high fructose corn syrup.

### Expanding Horizons

While Sun Drop remains a local treasure, Twig’s is ambitiously expanding its own range of fruit sodas, including flavors like root beer and black cherry. Though these new offerings will be in glass bottles, they won’t come with returnable options outside the local area. “We are slowly picking up distributors and growing the brand,” says Hartwig. “We hope to get Twig’s throughout the entirety of the Midwest and go from there.”

The decision to ask out-of-state customers to recycle rather than return bottles stems from logistical challenges. “If the people purchasing them are from a different state, it’s very unlikely they’ll bring them back,” Hartwig explains.

### A Legacy of Resilience

The origin of Twig’s is rooted in resilience. Floyd Hartwig conceived the idea for a soda business while recovering from injuries sustained during the Korean War. The venture thrived in the post-World War Two economic boom, meeting the newfound consumer demand for take-home beverages.

Today, the business remains a family affair, run by Ben Hartwig along with his wife Annelies and his brothers Jake and Luke. Employing 20 people, Twig’s generates $6.5 million in annual revenue and is a cultural staple in the city of Shawano, which hosts the Sun Drop Dayz festival every June.

### Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite its success, Twig’s faces ongoing challenges, notably the fluctuating cost of ingredients, especially sugar. “We are always looking at ways to avoid increasing our prices, such as by working with different sugar manufacturers,” notes Hartwig.

As Twig’s celebrates its 75th anniversary, it stands as a testament to tradition, community spirit, and the enduring charm of a glass-bottled soda—a slice of Americana in every sip.