August 11, 2008
Parks, MUCC team up to extend Bottle Bill
LANSING - Representatives of nearly 2,000 park and recreation professionals Aug. 6 announced they are teaming up with Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) to extend Michigan's Bottle Deposit Law to include non-carbonated beverage containers.
With this endorsement, the Michigan Recreation and Park Association (MRPA) joins MUCC, the driving force behind creation of the "Bottle Bill" 30 years ago.
"Michigan's law works, but it's incomplete and only applies to carbonated beverages," said Dennis Schornack, executive director of MRPA. "Sadly, Michigan parks are now littered with empty water, tea and sport drink containers. It's time to get the bubbles out of the Bottle Bill to keep Michigan parks beautiful."
"In the '70s, MUCC and the citizens of Michigan rallied to adopt a law that would fix the state's litter problem and it worked," said MUCC Executive Director Dennis Muchmore.
Muchmore said that pop and beer were the main portable beverages available then, but things have changed.
"Changing thirst preferences make it necessary to update the Bottle Bill and without that update we'll see more litter."
Since the 1970s, consumer preference for bottled beverages has dramatically shifted to non-carbonated drinks like tea, water and sports drinks.
In 2010, non-carbonated drink sales are expected to soar above pop sales in Michigan, leaving a significant hole in the Bottle Bill's effectiveness in reducing litter.
Each year, Michigan citizens recycle 97 percent of the 5.5 billion carbonated beverage containers, while 80 percent of non-carbonated beverage containers end up as litter and trash destined for landfills.
"We must act now to head off a trash explosion - in our parks, on our beaches, along our roads and across Michigan," Schornack added. "A simple, sensible solution is to include non-carbonated beverage containers in Michigan's bottle bill. It is a one-word change in existing law that every legislator can understand, that reinforces established consumer behavior, and that uses our existing bottle- handling infrastructure."
Muchmore agreed. "Until the popularity of non-carbonated drinks soared, Michigan and its parks enjoyed litter-free landscapes. That's simply not the case anymore and it's why MUCC is joining forces with MRPA to keep Michigan parks beautiful by updating the Bottle Bill."
Local park officials stressed that keeping parks clean costs money and up to half of the trash removed by park employees is non-carbonated beverage containers.
"What works for beer and pop can also work for water, tea and sport drinks. It would significantly reduce litter and also save parks a lot of time and money," said Murdock Jemerson, director of the Lansing Parks and Recreation Department.
"This simple reform turns what is a cost for parks into an increase in recycling and a fundraising opportunity for civic organizations, so that keeping parks clean is a win-win for everybody," said Mike McDonald, Ingham County parks commissioner.
"Trash pickup is a big expense at our parks" said Willis Bennett, interim director of the Ingham County Parks. "Improving the bottle bill will improve the bottom line for our parks, freeing up resources for better facilities and services to the public."
Both MUCC and MRPA stressed that simple grassroots advocacy is the key to success in retooling the Bottle Bill to keep litter out of our parks.
Michigan residents are encouraged to contact their state representative and state senator to advocate support.
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