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National deposit will finally get chance in CongressTHE FOLLOWING EDITORIAL RAN IN THE DETROIT FREE PRESS ON JUNE 24, 3003. A letter submitted to the editor by Rep. Lynn Rivers (D-MI) follows
the editorial. Michigan's 26-year-old bottle return law has worked so well to reduce litter and reuse resources it's hard to believe we're one of only 10 states to have one. But U.S. Sen. Jim Jeffords, I-Vermont, has vowed to give a national bottle bill its first thorough public legislative hearing in a decade in the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee, which he chairs. It's about time. More than 114 billion beverage containers were thrown away rather than recycled in 1999, a 50-percent increase in bottle and can waste since 1992, according to the Container Recycling Institute. Efforts to create a national container deposit law have traditionally been thwarted by special interests -- bottlers, distributors and retailers. This despite the fact that more bottles and cans are recycled in the 10 states with deposits than in the 40 without. Jeffords' initiative would mandate a 10-cent deposit and a target of 80 percent recycling of bottles and cans, leaving the details up to industry. It faces a huge uphill fight. But even if it never leaves committee after its July 11 hearing, the bill will again establish a public dialogue on an issue that -- if common sense were the only consideration -- would be a no-brainer. Congress hasn't had a bona fide deposit-law champion since the untimely passing of west Michigan Congressman Paul Henry in 1993. Henry would be proud to see the delegation from Michigan coalesce behind Jeffords' bill. He'd also be proud if Michigan legislators found the courage to buck business opposition to adding juice, water and wine cooler containers to Michigan's return law. Four of the five major-party candidates for governor -- Republican
Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus is the lone dissenter -- support such
a change. Voters should demand their legislative candidates do
likewise. June 24, 2002 Mr. Ron Dzwonkowski Dear Mr. Dzwonkowski: I read with interest your June 24th editorial on a national bottle bill that includes juice, water and wine cooler containers. Funny you should mention it.... I have just such a bill - H.R. 1667 - The National Beverage Container Reuse and Recycle Act of 2001. I introduced this legislation last year, at the start of the 107th Congress, as I have in each Congress since 1997. H.R. 1667 is closely modeled on Michigan's successful bottle bill and places a 10-cent refund value on all beverage containers, including beer, water, juice, juice drinks, tea, coffee, sports drinks, soda water, wine coolers and carbonated soft drinks. Senator Jeffords, chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has introduced his bill in the Senate. In the House, I have nine cosponsors on HR 1667, including four from the Michigan delegation. I appreciate the Free Press' advocacy on this issue and recongnize that increasing public awareness of Michigan's success with our bottle bill is the way to promote national bottle legislation. Sincerely, LNR:mcf
TEL: 703.276.9800 http://www.container-recycling.org |
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