August 7, 2008
'Bottle Bill' update going nowhere in Legislature
Effort stalls as retailers worry about expenses
When Marcus Johnson moved back to Lansing from Kentucky this year, one of the first things he noticed was the lack of empty bottles on the street.
"I see a lot getting recycled here," said Johnson, who typically takes his cans and bottles to drop-offs to get the deposit back. "(Lansing) is one of the cleaner cities."
The 33-year-old is among many who want to see the expansion of Michigan's bottle deposit law to include non-carbonated beverage containers.
"I don't know how great of a force it will be to the economy," Johnson said. "It depends on whatever benefits the most. It will put money in peoples' pockets."
The current law, known as the "Bottle Bill," was introduced in 1976 and now is outdated, said Dennis Muchmore, executive director of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs.
"The law only includes carbonated drinks," Muchmore said. "Water bottles, teas and sports drinks aren't included."
Muchmore said expanding the bill to include non-carbonated beverages would create a simple and sensible solution for recycling in Michigan. Other bills to expand the current law have stalled in the state Legislature in the past year.
Dennis Schornack, executive director of the Michigan Recreation and Park Association, said passing the law isn't the issue - retailers are.
"If the Legislature would put this up for a vote, we would bet that it would pass," Schornack said.
But, he said, retailers aren't in favor of expanding the bill because it would add costs. They include providing an automated return machine - which can cost upwards of $10,000.
"I doubt that will happen in the Legislature. I don't think there is support for it, at least in the Senate," Valde Garcia, R-Howell, said. "There are health issues that store owners are concerned about. All kinds of germs collect in those bottles."
Fred Savage, one of the owners of Goodrich's Shop-Rite, 940 Trowbridge Road, said his store would suffer if the current law is expanded.
"We're just a little old-time grocery store that doesn't have much room to expand. Something would have to give," Savage said.
Mary Dechow, chairperson of the Michigan Recycling Partnership, said the proposal is the wrong approach in going green.
She is touting an alternative solution - the "Penny Plan." The plan will place a penny fee onto every retail transaction more than $2, with the exception of fuel and prescription drugs, utilities and vending machine sales.
According to legislation filed by Rep. Michael Sak, D-Grand Rapids, the measure would only go into effect if the Legislature does not amend the "Bottle Bill" and voters then approve a constitutional amendment authorizing the tax.
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080807/NEWS04/808070336/1001/NEWS
