June 30, 2009
House, Senate vote to repeal 'bottle bill'
The General Assembly has voted to repeal the state’s “bottle bill” enacted in the mid-1980s to encourage recycling.
The law provides a 5 cent-rebate for consumers who return certain beverage bottles, such as soda bottles, to stores that sell them. Rep. John Viola, D-Newark, the bill’s sponsor, said the law has been largely ineffective and repealing it would save residents money because they would pay the actual price for the beverage, minus the 5 cents tacked on at the register. The bill passed 35-3 and awaits a vote in the Senate.
“This is a tax to try to change the behavior of our constituents. It has not been, in my opinion, successful in that regard,” said Rep. Bryon Short, D-Wilmington, who supported the bill.
The House approved the repeal late Tuesday night, while the subsequent Senate vote happened around 2:20 a.m.
The repeal would be effective Sept. 1, 2010.
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20090630/NEWS/90701001/House+votes+to+repeal++bottle+bill+
