April 29, 2008
WSMV 4
Bottle Bill May Have Variety Of Benefits
Supporters Hope Bill Would Increase Recycling
Reported By Marc Stewart
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- While the so-called bottle bill is meant to promote recycling, supporters said it's not just the environment that will benefit.
Under the bill, consumers would get back a five-cent deposit for every bottle they choose to recycle.
Those behind the bill said the measure isn't just about preserving the earth, but they feel children will be safer from broken glass and it could also create jobs.
The price of some beverages could jump by five cents per container if the bottle bill passes the state Legislature. Those who return the bottles and cans can get the money back.
It's an attempt to promote recycling, but some consumers said it is still a tough sell.
Supporters of the bottle bill want the public to know about some not-so-obvious benefits.
Some contend that homeless people will be able to get work if they're hired to man recycling stations. Also, some jobs may be created in the transportation field.
The support is coming from many different sources, including farmers, tourism advocates and real estate agents.
Proponents think this could be the year the bill passes because of the emphasis on being green.
"Everytime I pick up the newspaper, magazine or turn on the TV, they're talking about green, about global warming, I think Tennessee is ready," said bottle bill supporter Marge Davis.
Critics acknowledge the bill's intentions are good, but they feel it could lead a bureaucratic mess that could hurt taxpayers.
A representative from the Tennessee Grocers Association said, "There are a handful of people peddling an old approach to recycling that has proven ineffective at everything except collecting millions of dollars from shoppers, making state governments bigger and making it more complicated for people to recycle."
Lawmakers are expected to start discussing the bill on Tuesday afternoon.http://www.wsmv.com/news/16056250/detail.html
