Editorial

An Expanded Bottle Law

A good, logical proposal to expand Connecticut's bottle law to containers of non-carbonated beverages - juices, waters and sports drinks - is making progress in the legislature. It's not out of the woods yet, though, and experience with similar legislation has shown that even the best idea can fall prey to cynicism and vested interests.

Maybe this year will be different. Global warming and energy costs have become central issues, and an expanded bottle bill is a good fit for these times.

The bottled-water industry has boomed. Between 2002 and 2005, according to the Connecticut Recycling Institute, the number of bottles sold in Connecticut more than doubled, from 206 million to 426 million. By next year, sales are expected to reach 750 million.

A lot of these beverages are consumed outside the home - at sporting events, workplaces, parks and other recreational areas. And as many of us know firsthand, the empties often end up being carelessly tossed on roadsides and other public areas.

Getting consumers to pay a 5-cent refundable deposit on these bottles would reduce litter. It would also save municipalities money by reducing the volume of waste being shipped to incinerators and out-of-state landfills.

Finally, recycling these containers would save resources, cutting back on our consumption of petroleum and reducing emissions of gases that contribute to global warming.

Lobbyists for the food and beverage industry oppose this bill. Many of their arguments - the added cost, the need for additional space and staffing for redemption centers - were used three decades ago when Connecticut first adopted the bottle bill.

In 30 years, however, the bottle law has proved to be been a genuine success. We urge the legislature to build on that record by expanding the law to non-carbonated beverages.

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