Letter to the Editor

Changing 'bottle bill' law is counterproductive

I was very disappointed to read about legislation to eliminate the 5-cent deposit on soda, beer and other bottles effective Sept. 1, 2010. House Bill 201, sponsored by Rep. John Viola, D-Forest Knoll, would repeal the “bottle bill” which was enacted in 1982 in an effort to reduce litter.

Savvy consumers have always sought alternative options to save money and/or stretch their income, so I take exception to the statement that many shoppers fail to return bottles for their deposit refund. In addition, discontinuing the 5-cent bottle deposit will only result in more recyclables accumulating in landfills. I fail to understand why the Delaware General Assembly would consider repealing a bill that affords residents the rare opportunity to be both eco-friendly and economical.

H.B. 201 should be defeated.

Margaret T. Fitzpatrick, Wilmington

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20090620/OPINION10/90619063/1004/OPINION/Changing-%E2%80%98bottle-bill--law-is-counterproductive