March 30, 2007
The Stamford Times
Editorial
Bottle bill out of committee, fight goes on
There is new hope for expanding the bottle redemption law to include water, juice and sports drinks, something we see as a boon to the environment.The General Assembly Environment Committee has passed the expanded bill, and it now goes to the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. If it scales that hurdle, it's on to the Senate floor for a vote. We are realistic enough to know that even getting out of committee is no guarantee that a measure stands a chance to pass.
Ever the optimists, however, we hope the lawmakers will see this as a good measure and not be cowed by the food industry lobby, which has opposed the bill.
As we have noted before, the same old, tired arguments they used to try to defeat the original bottle bill have been dusted off. They are no more valid now than they were then.
The industry lobbyists counter that more curbside recycling and education are better answers. Surely, they jest.
The bill does not apply to dairy products, and it does recognize schools as redemption centers. Norwalk's two high schools' marching bands have been doing that for years and have reaped the benefits of it for their programs.
Let's see if the lawmakers have the gumption to act on this pro-environmental measure in the face of the lobbyists' pressure.
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