2016 Rhode Island
House Bill 7193
| Bill Number and Name | Rhode Island House Bill 7193 – Beverage Container Deposit Implementation |
|---|---|
| Primary Sponsor | Representatives Barros, Abney, Kazarian, Coughlin, & Solomon |
Activity
01/14/2016 Introduced, referred to House Finance Committee
Beverages Covered
- Carbonated
- Noncarbonated
- Alcoholic
- Non-alcoholic
Deposits and Fees
- Deposit: $0.05 refundable deposit on each container.
- Unredeemed deposits: 25% of abandoned deposit amounts may be used by the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation to support municipal and commercial recycling programs, 75% of abandoned deposits are to be remitted to the general treasurer and deposited in the general fund.
Redemption System
- Redemption centers will be established by the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation.
- Return to reverse vending machine (RVM) will also be an option to consumers. Dealers shall allow installation of reverse vending machines on their property by the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation.
Penalties
- Imposes a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 on any bottler, distributor, redemption center or dealer who violates any provisions of the proposed bill.Dealers who have not made timely and full payments will be subject to pay interest on unpaid payments at the rate of 1.5% for each month, until payment is made in full.
2013 Rhode Island Marine Debris Reduction Act
A bill for Packaging extended producer responsibility has been introduced in the Rhode Island House. The bill number is H5264, introduced on January 29th, 2013 by Representative Donna M. Walsh (D-Dist 36).
| Bill Number and Name | H 5264 |
|---|---|
| Sponsors | Representatives Walsh, Tanzi, Ruggiero, Handy, and Valencia |
| Types of Packaging Covered | All materials used for the containment, protection, handing, delivery, and presentation of goods sold or delivered. |
| Summary | Requires producers to take responsibility for the recycling of the packaging they introduce |
| Goals | 80% recycling rate by 2020 |
| Fees / Taxes | None |
Details
Producers of packaging are required to develop their own program, public education plan, and funding source for the collection and recycling of their packaging from consumers.
The bill sets a target recycling rate of 80% for all packaging materials by 2020. Recycling, in this bill, does not encompass waste-to-energy or conversion into fuel. The materials recycled must be used as "material input."
A specific plan for achieving the target recycling rate must be made for every material the producer produces.
Producers must also work with groups that conduct beach and marine debris cleanups, to gather specific information on how packaging materials become marine debris and how this kind of waste can be reduced.
Producers must submit reports to the state detailing how much packaging they create or import and how much is recycled.
Producers who fail to achieve the 80% target recycling rate for any given material must submit a fine to the state, which will be used to finance grant programs to increase the recycling of that material.
Progress
February 6, 2013: Introduced, referred to House Environment and Natural Resources
At an April 4 Committee hearing, the committee recommended measure be held for further study. That was the last heard from this bill as of September 14.
The 2008 Rhode Island Bill
Under S2771, Rhode Island's existing plastic bottle labeling law would be amended to add a 5¢ deposit to all beverage containers sold in the state (except aseptic and biodegradable containers) and implement a bar code labeling system.| Bill Number and Name | S2771 |
|---|---|
| Primary Sponsor | Senate Majority Leader Theresa Paiva-Weed |
| Containers Covered | any sealable beverage container composed of glass, metal, plastic or a combination and is produced for the purpose of containing a beverage. Excludes biodegradables, aseptics, and foil pouches |
| Beverages Covered | carbonated and non-carbonated, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including packaged liquors and liquid mixes |
| Deposits | 5¢ |
| Reclamation System | Return to dealer or redemption center |
| Unredeemed Deposits | 75% go to general fund; 25% used to fund program and other recycling initiatives |
Details
In addition to setting up a deposit-redemption system, HB 2771 would also require bar-code labeling to indicate its sale in Rhode Island. It would also ban the use of plastic rings or other non-biodegradable materials to bind beverage containers together.
The bill's primary sponsor, Senate Majority Leader Theresa Paiva-Weed, is a strong recycling proponent and recently held a recycling summit to discuss the relevant issues.
Midway through the legislative session, the original bill for a deposit law was replaced with a bill for a study on a deposit law, to be conducted by the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation. The Corporation is supposed to report back to the legislature with its findings by January 1, 2009.
However, as of January 6, 2009, we have heard no word of this report.
Progress
February 27, 2008: Introduced and referred to Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee
April 23, 2008: Committee recommended measure be held for further study
May 21, 2008: Senate wrote an amended version (S2771 Sub A) that directs the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation to conduct a study to consider container deposit legislaton
June 3, 2008: Sub A passed the Senate and was referred to House, for hearing on June 17
June 19, 2008: Sub A passed House and was referred to Governor on June 30
July 8, 2008: Sub A effective without governor's signature