Opinion

Bottle bill will benefit our state

This year, like last, a "bottle bill" will be introduced in both legislative chambers. Last year, it did not become law because the general wisdom of the Legislature did not move it along.

Hopefully these reservations can be addressed and changed, and the newly elected legislators might assist. Then we will get our "redeemable bottle bill" made a law. It would reduce our growing litter problem by 80 percent.

Some out-of-state bottlers do not want to see this happen here. Our "friends" (Coke, Bud, etc.) are spending big money to stop it. It is, however, very much in our statewide interest.

Many citizens recognize the timeliness of his bill and support it. Dozens of county commissions and development authorities do. All the church, the environmental groups, the Farm Bureau, etc., do.

Experience in other states indicates that 20 percent of bottles will remain as litter and not be redeemed and then generate perhaps $20 million annually from the most careless of our citizens. This law would generate its own revenue to solve problems and create redemption center infrastructure (jobs) everywhere.

The 80 percent of us, being aware and conscientious citizens who would like to see unlittered roadsides, streams, hillsides, etc., will redeem our bottles, and it will not cost us a cent. Perhaps more important, by adding this needed dimension to our recycling effort, citizens will have taken another significant step out of the prevailing unsustainable throw-away societal mindset.

The bottle bill is proven successful in the 10 states that have it today. Fifty years ago, everyone in the country redeemed the deposit on their empties. It is workable and reduces litter by 80 percent. It is the only way to reduce our growing litter problem. Education and greater law enforcement and penalties, we have found, will not do it.

We should pass the bottle bill here in our wonderful West Virginia. Ask your legislators for it.

Donald C. Gasper is chairman of the Upshur County (W.Va.) Litter Control Commission.

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