Why do many soda pop cans have an outline of the state of WV on the top? I WAG it has something to do with recyclcing cans in WV, but typically states with recycling programs are simply listed by their initials. What gives? - Jinx
West Virginians cannot read, but they are really good with maps?
I think that’s a regional thing, based on where it’s bottled (canned). I saw them all the time while I was living in Tidewater, VA, but now that I’ve moved to West Tennessee, I don’t see them anymore.
critter42
critter - Soda from around here is either bottled (canned) in Charlotte or Cheraw, SC but it still has the WV outline IIRC. I don’t drink much soda but I will definately check next time I get some and report back.
It tells West Virginians which end of the can to open.
Oh, man. Maybe I should move to West Virginia. I was drinking a can of Coke when I read this, so I lifted it up to check the bottom and - you guessed it - promptly spilled the contents of the can all over my pants. I was not inebriated in any way when I did this, so I really have no excuse.
Anyway, there was no WV outline on my can of Coke, which was canned in Baton Rouge, LA. I have seen the outlines on cans before, though. Unfortunately, I can’t remember if I’ve seen any since I moved to Louisiana. I know I saw them in Pennsylvania, but then that’s right next to WV.
The only place I’ve ever seen this with any regularity is on Wal-Mart store brands. Maybe there’s a connection.
West Virginia has levied an excise tax on soda (pop? soft drinks? You pick.) The cans must be labeled to show that the tax has been paid. If the WV labeled cans show up elsewhere, it sounds like the can makers had extras lying around and put them to use since the symbol does not actually indicate that the tax was paid when the can was made.