Editorial

Don't do away with Bottle Bill, fix it to recycle all containers

It looks as if Delaware finally has a governor who doesn't just routinely sign legislation into law without some consideration over whether it's the right thing to do.Vetoes in the past 16 years have been virtually nonexistent. Even the casino-slot machine legislation, which Gov. Tom Carper opposed, went into effect because Carper didn't veto it.

Gov. Jack Markell apparently has some questions in his mind whether repealing Delaware's so-called Bottle Bill is a good idea. Rep. John Viola sponsored House Bill 201 and had several co-sponsors from both chambers and both sides of the aisle. The primary reason behind the legislation -- as we said here a month ago -- is that Delawareans have ignored the Bottle Bill's 5-cent deposit on sodas and beer, choosing to just pay the extra money but not redeem the bottles. Retailers also have complained they don't have the room to store returned bottles or the personnel to handle customers. Those complaints point to one of the problems with this more than 20-year-old law: Retailers should be removed from the formula.

And beer and soda distributors, who now are rewarded with the 5-cent deposit in their pockets, should also be out of the equation. And the so-called Bottle Bill should also include cans, as it originally did until legislators secretly excluded cans about 10 years ago.

In addition, all size bottles and cans should be included, not just certain ones. The contents of the containers is also confusing and nonsensible. Why is a carbonated beverage included but the ubiquitous water bottle is not? Why are sports drinks excluded?

And why is the Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control responsible for a non-enforced regulation.

Gov. Markell should appoint a commission to fix the bill, not kill it.

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20090716/OPINION11/907160353/1004/OPINION/Don-t-do-away-with-Bottle-Bill--fix-it-to-recycle-all-containers