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EXPANDING THE BOTTLE LAW
It’s been nearly 25 years since the Bottle Bill became a law. It’s a law that we’ve all learned to live with – pay a 5 cent deposit on a bottle or can of soda or beer and get it back when you return that bottle. Over the past quarter of a century, the Bottle Law has been New York's most successful recycling and litter prevention program. More than 80 billion bottles and cans have been returned and recycled through the Bottle Law. More than five million tons of plastic, glass and metal have been kept out of New York’s landfills and incinerators. There is less litter and broken glass in streets, parks, playgrounds and beaches, making them safer, cleaner, and more attractive. Last week the New York State Assembly took the first step toward expanding the Bottle Law. Advanced by State Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli, the legislation passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. DiNapoli’s proposal expands New York's bottle bill to include deposits on non-carbonated beverages such as bottled water, iced tea, juice and sports drinks – drinks that were not much in use 25 years ago. In addition, the legislation addresses another weakness in the current law. Currently, if consumers don’t collect their nickel deposits, the beer and soda companies – among the most profitable corporations on the planet – keep the additional money. DiNapoli’s bill requires the beverage industry to return all unclaimed deposits to the state to fund recycling programs and other environmental needs. Not surprisingly, the beverage industry has hired an army of lobbyists and public relations consultants to stop DiNapoli’s legislation. And while they were unsuccessful in the Assembly, the legislation faces formidable opposition in the Senate. Even though the bill has five Senate Republican sponsors, led by Senator Ken LaValle from Suffolk County, opponents are using the classic Albany defense of denying a public debate in hopes of derailing the proposed reform and minimizing the political exposure of members of the Senate. Action on the DiNapoli/LaValle legislation is one thing that voters should be carefully watching over the next few weeks. Its passage would help state and local governments to protect the environment and increase recycling through collection of the unclaimed bottle deposits and funding environmental programs. The proposal also prevents litter and makes communities safer, cleaner, and helps reduce waste disposal costs for municipalities and taxpayers. The original Bottle Law has been a huge success – it has dramatically reduced the number of beer and soda containers that used to litter roadways and parks. It could do the same thing for the new generation of containers, like water bottles, sports drinks and juice containers that are seen all too frequently littering the state. And it can provide badly needed resources for environmental programs. It’s a law that has worked and should be expanded. Let’s see if the Senate puts the interests of the public ahead of the interests of the industry. Let’s see if they allow the Bottle Law to come up for a vote. That’s all for now. I’ll be keeping an eye on the Capitol and will talk to you again next week. |
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