May 7, 2010
Bolstered Bottle Bill backed by board
Advocates for legislation that would expand the state's Bottle Bill to make water, sports and energy drinks and iced tea containers redeemable for 5 cents have won the support of Amherst officials.
The Select Board Monday passed a resolution in support of adding noncarbonated beverage containers to the Bottle Bill and calling for a "significant portion of the resulting revenue generated (to) fund local solid waste reduction initiatives."
The board's vote came following an appeal from the representatives from the University of Massachusetts chapter of the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group, who are continuing to garner support at the local level even though the state Legislature last month opted against amending the Massachusetts Container Beverage Law that went into effect in 1983, which was filed as an amendment to the consolidated budget.
Briana Roy, a freshman who is helping to coordinate the effort for MassPIRG, said it is primarily a matter of improving the environment.
"Now two decades are past, and there are many more containers we use more prominently," Roy said.
The Recycling and Refuse Management Committee was consulted prior to the board's vote. Susan Waite, recycling coordinator for Amherst, said she and the committee are in favor of expanding the Bottle Bill because it will reduce the cost of transporting bottles and cans to a facility in Springfield.
"We're in support of the Bottle Bill; it's a great concept," Waite said.
But Waite noted that, in 2003, money for conservation programs and reduction efforts began being diverted to the state's general fund. If the Bottle Bill is expanded, money needs to be used to reestablish the state's Clean Environment Fund.
Waite said money could go toward needed equipment, such as a split-body truck that can haul both trash and recyclables, rather than two separate vehicles.
Roy said that the statewide goal is to get more than half of the 351 the municipalities in Massachusetts to endorse the resolution favoring expanding the Bottle Bill.
"If we have 176 communities, it will greatly improve the chances," Roy said.
Roy and six other members of the campus group previously obtained backing from elected officials in Leverett, Pelham and Sunderland and are talking to selectmen in Belchertown and Hadley.
Alexa Sade, another member of the group, said it was "super important" to get Amherst on board because it is where the students make their home for at least four years.
"We feel like the Pioneer Valley is force, and Amherst is a huge part of it," Sade said.
The resolution reads, in part, that "the city instructs our state representatives and state senators, and our governor, to support and vote in favor of updating the Massachusetts Container Beverage Law."
<h4>Challenges</h4>
State Rep. Ellen Story, D-Amherst, who has co-sponsored legislation to expand the Bottle Bill for several years, said there are continued challenges.
"What the problem seems to be is there is a conflict between people working to have more bottles redeemable and the businesses that are return centers," Story said.
There is often not enough redemption center space, and there is a constant need to update technology because automatic return machines often break down.
The Massachusetts Food Association remains opposed to the Bottle Bill. Chris Flynn, president of the association, has called the Bottle Bill bad public policy, describing it as an archaic form of reducing waste and not a good way of raising revenue for the state. Legislators have also received letters of opposition from Pepsi, Coca-Cola and Polar Beverages, citing an increased cost in challenging economic times, possible fraud from people bringing bottles from out of state, and minimal environmental benefits.
Story said there are also concerns from stores located near the New Hampshire border.
"If we could figure out a way to remove these obstacles so businesses would be more comfortable with this, I think we could get this through," Story said.
Attempts at modifying the Bottle Bill have been ongoing for 15 years. Story said pressure from communities that MassPIRG is working with won't hurt the chances of the bill's passage.
MassPIRG's push comes after similar bottle bills were expanded in New York and Connecticut.
<h4>More trash</h4>
Angelica Carey, the lead coordinator for the UMass chapter, said that 70 percent of beer and soda containers are redeemed for their deposit value, but other containers are recycled at much lower rates. This leads to higher trash and recycling costs for communities and more litter.
Over one billion bottles are littered, incinerated or thrown into landfills annually, Carey said.
Timing is good now because of the need for increased revenue for the state coffers, estimated at $18 million to $20 million, Carey said.
Expanding the Bottle Bill has the support of Gov. Deval Patrick because of the millions of dollars in potential new revenue. The revenue comes from unreturned recyclables, which the state collects and keeps.
Roy said the chapter's campaign, which is similar to one conducted in the 1970s to get the initial Bottle Bill passed, has raised awareness on campus. The MassPIRG chapter recently set up an informational table at the Berkshire Dining Commons and other dining areas and for students to sign petitions in favor of the Bottle Bill's expansion.
Members also constructed what Roy called a "Bottle Bill" man, made from various returnable containers, and students could have photographs taken with this humanoid creation. In addition, students were encouraged to become fans of the Bottle Bill on Facebook.
The Bottle Bill has become a major focus of work this year for MassPIRG, along with projects to increase the number of young voters, promote global warming awareness, have better public transportation, and combat hunger and homelessness.
UMass students whom Roy has spoken with seem to be in favor of making more containers returnable, she said, noting that it already provides them an opportunity to get 5 cents for each soda and beer bottle.
"To me, there's no negative effect of this bill," Roy said.
http://www.amherstbulletin.com/story/id/171500/
