Links
- massbottlebill.org (from MA Sierra Club)
- MassPIRG
- Massachusetts General Court
- Other bottle bill campaigns
Resources
- MA Bottle Bill in the News
- Look up Senate bills
- Look up House bills
- Massachusetts' existing deposit law
- Campaign History
Press Releases
- Sen. Nuciforo Introduces Bill to Update Massachusetts Bottle Bill - June 2003
- State Senator Nuciforo Leads Drive to Update the Bottle Bill - May 2003
Other resources
- Renewing the Massachussets Bottle Bill: onstant Goals, Changing Times [PDF,489kb] June 2003
- Results of the Charles River cleanup [PDF,381 Kb] April 2003
- Economic & environmental benefits of beverage container recycling: The case for updating Massachusetts' bottle bill [PDF,144kb] March 1998
Massachusetts
The 2009-2010 Massachusetts Campaign
Massachusetts lawmakers are studying a potential expansion of the state's 28-year-old beverage container deposit program, which could net $20 million annually to state revenue. Among the changes proposed, the addition of bottled water, juice and sports drink containers to the existing redemption program could result in collecting an additional 1.2 billion containers a year, according to government estimates.
| Bill Number and Name | House Bill 3515, Senate Bill 1480  Bill text |
|---|---|
| Primary Sponsor | Rep. Alice Wolf (D-Cambridge) Sen. Cynthia Creem (D-Newton) |
| Beverages Covered | Expanded to all nonalcoholic beverages (including water, juices, tea and flavored tea, sports drinks) except milk beverages, medicines, and infant formula. Includes beer and malt but excludes other alcoholic beverages. |
| Containers Covered | Defines size of container as 16 oz. to 2 liters. |
| Handling Fees | Increases to 3 cents, paid by the beverage distributors. |
Details
In addition to the changes listed in the table above, the bottle bill expansion would also make a few minor administrative changes. The bill also adds several provisions to clarify the function, rights and responsibilities of redemption centers:
- Adds a definition for "small dealer" and allows the Department of Environmental Protection to exempt them if a redemption center is nearby.
- Re-establishes the "Clean Environment Fund" to be used for programs and projects to manage solid waste and for environmental protection
- Increases the handling fee (the amount that redemption centers are paid by the beverage distributors) from 2.25 cents to 3 cents (the first draft of this bill changed the handling fee to 3.25 cents, but that was reduced when a Senate committee released Bill No. 2547). Redemption centers have not seen an increase in 18 years.
It is estimated that the updated bottle bill would raise approximately $20 million in new funds for the Commonwealth with no additional public costs. It would decrease landfill use, as containers take up more space in landfills than most other types of waste. It would save energy and oil, as PET “#1” plastic is 99% petroleum. It would increase the current 22% recycling rate of non-covered containers to 80%, decrease litter, and create jobs in the recycling sector.
Progress
January 20, 2009: Introduced and referred to Joint Committee on Telecommunication, Utilities and Energy.
October 7, 2009: Hearing and press conference was held. Over 100 proponents gathered in the halls of the state house to hear from elected leaders who support the update.
July 15, 2010: A new draft (Senate Bill 2547) was reported favorably by committee and referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics and Rules.
July 22, 2010: Discharged to Ways and Means committee.
July 31, 2010: Session ended without a vote. Bill effectively dead.
Contacts
Phil Sego
Sierra Club
617-423-5775
phil@sierraclubmass.org
www.massbottlebill.org
Janet Domenitz
MASSPIRG
617-292-4800
Janet.Domenitz@MASSPIRG.org
