; and (ii) the retailer or an applicable redemption center has collected from consumers; and (B) on receipt of each beverage container under subparagraph (A), pay the retailer or the redemption center, as applicable, the refund value; and (8) by June 1 of each calendar year, a distributor or importer shall provide to the Administrator a report that lists the beverage container return data for the previous calendar year of the distributor or importer, calculated separately for glass, metal, and plastic beverage containers. (b) Exception for States with existing programs (1) In general A State that has in effect a beverage container recovery program the requirements of which are substantially similar to, or more stringent than, the requirements of this section may submit to the Administrator a request to waive the applicability of this section in that State. (2) Requirement The Administrator may approve a waiver under paragraph (1) if the State demonstrates that the beverage container recovery rate for the program in that State is more than 75 percent. (c) Distributor cooperatives (1) In general The Administrator may approve the formation of a distributor cooperative by 2 or more distributors or importers for the purposes of— (A) collecting the refund value of beverage containers specified from distributors or importers and refunding to retailers the amount the retailers paid for the refund value of empty beverage containers; (B) paying the refund value for beverage containers redeemed; and (C) processing beverage containers. (2) Applications (A) In general Applications to become a distributor cooperative described in paragraph (1) shall be submitted to the Administrator. (B) Contents An application under subparagraph (A) shall include— (i) evidence of consultation with stakeholders prior to submitting the application for approval; (ii) assurances that— (I) the distributor cooperative will provide an opportunity for stakeholder input in the implementation and operation of the activities described in paragraph (1)