Letter to the Editor

Deposit on recyclables not smart idea

The Smart Container Act, A-121, recently introduced in the Legislature would have retailers collect a deposit on beverage containers that could be as much as 20 cents. Protecting the environment is great. But this program is another tax on consumers and a burden for convenience stores.

The simple truth is the program is not needed. New Jersey has a mandatory recycling program. Citizens put recyclables at the curb for pickup. Many communities use cash they earn selling recyclable trash to offsets property taxes.

If citizens choose to place recyclables at the curb, they would lose their deposit money. Folks would have to take recyclables to a store to collect their deposit.

How does a convenience store properly manage and store these germy and smelly used containers? Does anyone care about the sanitary implications? Does anyone want their food handled by a person who just touched bottles slobbered on by strangers?

Legislators must think this through. Imagine the problems converting a convenience store or a grocery store into a bottle-collection center. The cost to implement this program would drive up prices for customers and businesses.

Trenton already hiked the recycling tax. Now this. The Smart Container Act isn't very smart. It was rejected 20 years ago. Why try now?

Sal Risalvato

SPRINGFIELD

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

N.J. GASOLINE-CONVENIENCE STORE-AUTOMOTIVE ASSOCIATION

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