We studied the effect of legislation requiring deposits for beverage containers on the incidence of lacerations in urban children. Records of emergency room visits for lacerations and fractures were reviewed for three years pre-legislation (1980-82) and the immediate post-legislation period (1983). The incidence of total sutured lacerations did not change substantially after the legislation, but glass-related lacerations fell by 60 per cent, due to a reduced incidence in lacerations occurring outside of the home.