Politics & Government
Rep. Lewis Bill Proposes a 5 Cent Deposit On Liquor 'Nips'
Miniature liquor bottles, called nips, are a major litter problem in Massachusetts.
May 5, 2021 (Framingham)- Representative Jack Patrick Lewis (Framingham) recently co-filed H.3332, An Act promoting the proper disposal of miniatures, along with Representative Jim Hawkins (Attleboro). The bipartisan bill cosponsored by seventeen colleagues would add a 5-cent deposit to miniature alcohol bottles in Massachusetts.
“The Green Up Ashland Day is always one of my favorite days of the year. During the clean-up, nips continued to be among the most common items discovered, despite being used far less than soda. This is because the proper disposal of nips is not incentivized in the same way in our laws,” noted Rep. Lewis.
Currently, Massachusetts residents can exchange used soda cans and bottles for varying amounts at deposit centers. This legislation would allow miniature alcohol bottles to be exchanged at these centers too.
Find out what's happening in Framinghamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“At Keep Massachusetts Beautiful, our volunteers pick up thousands of littered nips across the Commonwealth every year,” said Neil Rhein, founder and executive director of Keep Massachusetts Beautiful. “We believe that adding a deposit to these bottles is a common sense and long overdue step. It will incentivize those who collect them for the deposits and would also hopefully discourage those who buy nips from littering them in the first place.”
“This Bill will not only get rid of the crazy litter on our roadways but it will also keep these plastic containers out of our rivers and landfills,” says Rep Hawkins.
Find out what's happening in Framinghamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In 2017 Rep. Lewis, with the help of Involved’s online surveys, asked Ashland and Framingham residents what they thought of the proposed addition to our litter laws and found significant support within the community. Of the 256 respondents, 70 percent indicated they supported the change, with only 20 percent in opposition and 10 percent unsure.
Rep. Lewis began his third term in the MA House on January 6, 2021 and represents the 7th Middlesex District, encompassing the town of Ashland and six precincts in Framingham.
Rep. Hawkins began his second term in the MA House on January 6, 2021 and represents the 2nd Bristol District, which includes the city of Attleboro.
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