February 10, 2008

Editorial

Container bill is not needed

Once again an attempt is being made at instituting a container deposit bill in Tennessee. And once again, it should be slapped down should it come before our state lawmakers.

Under the latest proposal being touted by a Maury County commissioner, a 5-cent deposit would be placed on bottles containing beer, ale, soft drinks, mineral water, bottled water, juices, teas, coffee drinks, sports drinks, wine coolers, mixed spirits and other carbonated and non-carbonated beverages. The list doesn't include wine, liquor, milk, or other dairy products, dietary supplements and a few other liquids or frozen liquids.

Those stores that sell the containers and collect the deposit would not be required to redeem the containers. Rather, state certified private redemption centers would be created. They would get 3 cents per container processing fee.

The state would pick up the containers from there.

This sounds very similar to a plan from a couple of years ago. Then, the proposal called for an extra 8 cents per beverage bottle or can.

At that time, we called it an administrative nightmare, and we stand by that assessment today. It would add more bureaucracy to state government and not solve the roadside litter program. Just 10 to 20 percent of roadway litter is bottles or cans. Far more of the junk comprises the leftovers from fast-food purchases.

A more effective remedy is to have a more comprehensive litter-control program that includes big fines for people who throw their trash out of their vehicles. Let's attack the problem on the front end where it actually can make a difference and not inconvenience consumers who aren't littering in the first place.