Opinion

Recycling better than deposit law

The food and beverage industry in Michigan has formed an organization involving all of the major supermarkets, convenience stores and those who deal with deposit containers. It is called Michigan Recycling Partnership and it is doing a great job in educating citizens, industry and communities in the value of total recycling, and not just placing a deposit on bottles and cans and sending them to the grocery store.

Not long ago the federal government tightened up the food safety laws involving food stores. They want the stores as clean as possible and products as fresh as possible. So do we, as do our members. The State of Michigan followed up to improve its food safety laws.

Since food stores are not rubbish collection centers, operators are caught between a rock and hard place. Our governments and the store owners want to run the cleanest stores possible. Such laws as the Returnable Container Law forces retailers to accept or redeem containers that come in dirty. This requirement is contrary to our new, strong food safety laws.

Expanding the bottle bill is not the answer. Today, most of the communities in Michigan have curbside recycling where bottles, cans, plastic, steel, aluminum, etc., are collected. Our industry is calling for curbside recycling of all recyclables, including newspapers, and the creation of recycling centers where recyclables can be taken. Funding can come from what we call the Penny Plan, in which 1 cent is added to your grocery bill. Whatever small amount is collected will help pay for establishing these centers.

You should know that since the Michigan bottle bill was passed in 1977 and was implemented in 1979, no other referendum was approved by any other state to establish a bottle bill. They learned from the Michigan experience.

We as an organization along with our 3,400 business members stand ready to assist in developing a long-term solution for total systems recycling, not just one part of it.

Edward Deeb
President Michigan Food and Beverage Association Warren

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