June 3, 2009

Alan Krigman, Waste Recovery Report
Press Release

National bottle deposit bill introduced into House of Representatives

Many states now have bottle deposit laws, enacted to promote the recycling of glass and plastic containers. Consumers leave deposits, typically five cents, when they purchase beverages such as soft drinks or juices. The deposits are refunded when they return the bottles. Advocates say that recycling rates increase sharply when these laws are enacted. Opponents claim the system discourages the private recycling industry by decreasing the economies of scale for collection and processing.

Now, a bill has been submitted to the US House of Representatives that would make bottle deposits mandatory nationwide. It's the Bottle Recycling Climate Protection Act of 2009, House Bill HR 2046. Sponsors are Representatives Ed Markey (D-MA) and Jim Moran (D-VA).

The Act would initially add a five-cent deposit to the price of each applicable container. Any retailer who sells or has recently sold the same brand of beverage in the same kind and size package would be required to accept empty, unbroken returns and refund the deposit money. Exemptions would apply to states already having deposit laws, where recycling or reuse rates for beverage containers are at least 50% for the first three years after enactment, 60% for the next two years, and 70% thereafter. A copy of HR 2046 is on-line at the searchable Waste Recovery Report archive www.wrr.icodat.com/resources.

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