Editorial

Don't slide back on the bottle bill

It's inevitable in an era when many have become convinced that all government solutions are ineffective, if not evil, that there would be efforts to weaken or eliminate Vermont's successful container deposit and collection system.

One of the first "bottle bills" enacted in 1972, the law has more than proved that a financial incentive can not only lead to more attractive roadsides but to less strain on landfills and trash incinerators when containers are returned for reuse or recycling. Overall, this has been an excellent spur toward reducing our use of energy in manufacturing and our depletion of limited natural resources.

If anything, the Vermont law should be strengthened by upping the deposits past the low deposit levels set in the 1970s and expanded to cover other containers and consumer items.

For instance, non-carbonated beverages, such as bottled water, wine and teas, are not required to carry a deposit. These products have greatly increased in comparison to rivals soda and beer in the state and nationally. It only makes sense that these are included in an upgraded bill.

In addition, it makes sense environmentally to require deposits on products like computers and other electronics, phones, certain batteries, microwave ovens, televisions, some appliances and other items that can produce pollution which states and the federal government will have to deal with at some point. A deposit would cover those costs and could

be used to encourage proper disposal or recycling.

Fortunately, bills both strengthening and attempting to replace the state's current bill have are before the Legislature this session. If lawmakers want to look back years from now and cite truly important legislation they were instrumental in passing, they should update Vermont's "bottle bill" for the 21st century.

http://www.benningtonbanner.com/opinion/ci_17245750