Both New York and Connecticut have expanded their container deposit laws to include bottled watter–a move that is expected to boost state revenues, while removing millions of bottles from the waste stream, roadways and waters.
Starting April 1 in Connecticut, all noncarbonated beverage sales must include a deposit of 5 cents. Noncarbonated beverages are defined as water, flavored water, nutritionally enhanced water or any other beverages identified as a type of water.
Beer, malt beverages, mineral water, soda and other carbonated drinks already are covered under the state´s bottle bill.
Governor M. Jodi Rell signed a law allowing the state to take unclaimed deposits, which were previously kept by wholesalers. The state expects to receive about $13 million a year.
New York expects to bring in $115 million a year by keeping 80% of unclaimed 5-cents deposits on water bottles beginning June 1.
Each year, nearly 2.5 billion bottles of water are sold in New York. The measure is part of the state´s $132 billion state budget agreement for 2009-2010.
“Beverage sales have risen dramatically nationwide, with non-carbonated beverages accounting for 95% of the growth in total sales from 2000 to 2006." Betty McLaughlin, executive director of the non-profit Container Recycling Institute, said. "During that same time period, beverage container recycling rates nationwide declined from 41% to 34%. Falling recycling rates and rapid growth in beverage sales prompted both the aluminum and glass industries last fall to openly support expanding bottle bills like New York’s.”
Saima Anjam of Environmental Advocates of New York said, “Updating New York’s bottle bill will build on the documented success of the state’s most effective recycling
program. Expanding our current bottle deposit law to include bottled water and other drinks will
also conserve energy and natural resources, reduce the waste going into landfills, and clean up our
communities."
Loading...