August 22, 2009
Opinion
Bottle-can return law would go a long way toward cleaning up state highways, beaches
Numerous articles have deplored the terrible trashing of our exceptional beaches. There IS a viable solution to some of the beach mess, as well as other visible areas of the state — including highways.
It is interesting to observe how other states are handling roadside litter. It’s a visual, nasty and perpetual problem for all of us.
What’s the solution, or at least a partial solution? Many states have enacted a bottle-can returnable law. Simply stated, purchasers of beverages must pay a 10-cent deposit, which is refunded when the empties are returned.
I recently interviewed residents of Michigan (yes, there are still folks living there) about the container-return law. Formerly, Michigan’s state roads and byways were deemed the trashiest in the nation. That was 10 years ago.
My sources said the grocery and beverage industries in Michigan were “caught unaware when Michigan passed a law requiring a 10-cent deposit on all beverage cans and bottles at the time of purchase.” In a column published some time ago, residents told me that it used to be a pain taking containers back for a refund, but now the stores have high-tech machines that make it easy to process the material.
Those interviewed also said that it takes at least a 10-cent deposit for the return policy to be effective. Three cents or 5 cents is not a great enough incentive to return the items. Most importantly, the state of Michigan is now recognized as having the cleanest roadways.
Bottles and cans are not the only form of trash. How come the Michigan highways appear so clean of ALL litter? “There’s no definitive answer,” I was told. “Somehow psychology takes over. If residents or tourists don’t toss bottles and cans, they hold other debris, also.”
Would this same psychology apply to South Carolina beaches and highways? It’s worth a try. The bottle-can law could go a long way in making our roadways green — again. And, don’t forget the impact on the beaches.
A recent article in Parade magazine said, “Since the first ‘bottle bill’ was enacted in Oregon almost 40 years ago, 10 states have passed similar laws and seven more are considering them. The laws add 5 to 10 cents to the price of the beverage, which consumers get back when they recycle the bottle. States with such laws have seen recycling rates jump — reaching as high as 80 percent.
“Environmentalists point to the high success rate of bottle bills and note that nationwide deposit programs can succeed with curbside recycling. This spring, Rep. Ed. Markey (D-Mass.) introduced a bill to set a 5-cent (should be 10 cent) deposit on all beverage containers nationwide. Markey said it would ‘reduce our thirst for imported oil, support jobs in the recycling industry and keep carbon dioxide in our soft drinks rather than or atmosphere.’”
In some states, the return law applies only to carbonated or alcoholic drinks. Bottled water should be included, most observers told me.
Admittedly, there is a cost involved in collecting and disposing of bottles and cans. It must be said that retailers benefit by the number of folks who make a deposit but do not seek a refund.
In a positive vein, a bottle-return law would result in cleaner beaches and highways, resulting in greater tourist trade.
Who can argue with that?
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/aug/22/spauldng/
