Wicked Local: Lexington

Public interest group launches Bottle Bill campaign here

Lexington -

Lexington - The Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group (MASSPIRG) last week launched a grassroots campaign in Lexington to pass the updated Bottle Bill in the state legislature this session.

The update to the Bottle Bill would expand the current container deposit system to include “new age” drinks such as water, iced tea, sports drinks, and other soft drinks, according to a statement.

Although the bill is similar to one introduced in the previous legislative session, recent media attention on water bottle waste in particular has highlighted the need for more recycling, according to MASSPIRG. Further, the statement said, plastic containers are made largely of petroleum and in 2002, 3.2 billion pounds of PET bottles failed to be recycled and wound up in United States landfills.

Had the bottles been recycled, it would have saved the equivalent of 6.2 million barrels of oil, MASSPIRG said.

In neighborhoods throughout Lexington, campaign staffers will ask residents to support the campaign by signing petitions, calling their state legislators, and joining MASSPIRG as members.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/lexington/news/x1107266520