Measure would improve recycling efforts in Connecticut
Hartford – Environment Connecticut (the new
home of ConnPIRG’s environmental work) today called on the legislature to
approve a bill expanding and improving the Bottle Bill. The legislation (SB
1289) would expand the Bottle Bill to include non-carbonated containers, increase
the container deposit for the first time since the law was enacted, and use
millions of dollars in unclaimed deposits to support expanded recycling efforts
statewide.
“The Bottle Bill is a recycling success story,” said
Christopher Phelps, Program Director for Environment Connecticut. “Updating the
Bottle Bill is the single biggest step the legislature can take this year to
increase recycling rates and reduce litter in our communities.”
More than 1.1 billion bottles and cans are returned for
deposit each year in Connecticut.
But non-carbonated beverages such as bottled water, sports drinks, and juices
are not covered by its provisions.
“Including non-carbonated beverages in the Bottle Bill would
result in hundreds of millions of additional bottles and cans being returned
for deposit and recycling each year,” said Phelps. “Updating the Bottle Bill to
include those containers is simply a common-sense step to protect our
environment. The legislature has considered similar legislation for a number of
years now. In 2007 it’s finally time to get the job done of updating the Bottle
Bill for the 21st century.”
