>If anything, the state run deposit programs lose money from people returning cans from out of the state.

The state also loses money here, unless the cost of running this program is neligible.

>But it doesn't even have to be state run. It could simply be mandated that the manufacturers buy back their old batteries for a minimum price.

I'm not saying this is a bad program, but this still walks, talks, and quacks like a tax.