OP-ED: Updating The Bottle Bill

Note: The following is an op-ed piece from the office of State Senator Katherine Clark:

Since its enactment in 1983, the 5¢ bottle deposit has encouraged a high rate of recycling with more than 30 billion containers redeemed.  Each year the Commonwealth is able to collect nearly $40 million for the general fund from unclaimed deposits on certain beer, soft drink, and other beverage containers.  However, nearly 30 years later the majority of litter now comes from bottles and containers that have increased in popularity, but are not included in the current bottle bill law.

An estimated 20 billion beverages like water and sports drinks are consumed annually in the United States producing 69,000 tons of landfill waste nationwide. I have co-sponsored legislation this session to update the bottle deposit law to include nearly 700 million ice tea, sports drink, fruit juice, and water bottles consumed in the Commonwealth and potentially generate an additional $20 million in revenue. 

Beverage containers account for 20% of the greenhouse gas emissions. By updating the bottle deposit law and including more types of containers, we can significantly reduce the amount of trash sent to city landfills and incinerators, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and crude oil use.

While 80% of bottles included in the deposit law are redeemed, only 24% of those not included in the container deposit law are recycled. These non-redeemable containers are 9 times more likely to end up as litter on our highways, streets, parks, and waterway.  States that have implemented bottle bills have experienced a 70-85% reduction in beverage container litter after the bottle bill was implemented.

Currently, 182 cities and towns in Massachusetts have passed local resolutions in support of the bill— that is more than half of the state's 351 municipalities. According to estimates by the Department of Environmental Protection, municipalities would save $4.2 to $7 million on trash cleanup under the expansion.  This would provide significant relief to struggling cities and towns during this economy.

This updated bottle legislation also puts protections in place for small businesses. The bill provides exemptions for small businesses less than 4000 in square footage. It also provides redemption centers an increase in handling fees for the first time in 17 years, to help keep these local businesses afloat. As a result of huge increases in operating costs many of them have been forced to close. This increase would allow them to continue operating.

For the past 30 years the bottle bill has been a huge success. It provides a proven  incentive for recycling while increasing revenue for the state.  It is time to close the loophole on our current bottle deposit law and pass this updated legislation.