Letter to the Editor

She supports expanded bottle bill

LE MARS, Iowa -- In response to the Journal's opinion on the proposed changes to Iowa's Bottle Bill, I do represent a Redemption Center and totally disagree with several comments. When we went to Des Moines on March 18, we took petitions with us containing 370 signatures of local residents who support this expansion. These were added to petitions from all around Iowa containing thousands of signatures, all in support.

Landfill operators also showed their support for the expansion. I think that indicates more interest than a few people as you stated. Currently the 12 deposit states redeem more beverage containers than the other 38 states combined. (That should tell you that curbside recycling doesn't work). Adding waters, coffees, teas, etc. only makes Iowa more responsible for its environment. DNR figures show that in 2006, the energy saved from Iowa's Bottle Bill could heat 26,486 average households. For every ton of aluminum cans recycled, 13 tons of atmospheric carbon dioxide will not enter the air. In 2006, 56,000 tons were recycled. That would fill a line of garbage trucks 11.75 miles long.

The gasses from making plastic (such as water bottles) stays in our atmosphere for several hundreds of years. Secondly, this is the way to take care of our citizens. Yes, you pay a small additional charge at the grocery store, but you receive every penny back if you take responsibility to redeem your containers. You will actually save money as you currently pay your county, state and federal employees to pick up these containers before they can mow, along with a savings in garbage charges you currently pay to dispose of these containers. Possibly the cost of gasoline would be less if we were all doing our share to conserve oil. And as for redemption centers getting a handling fee increase, have you had a raise in the last 30 years? -- Cheryl Juhl

http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2008/03/25/news_opinion/letters/f84df6ae9e84e6938625741600790567.txt