Big Bottle at Binghamton State Office Building Touts Bigger Bottle Bill
After almost 40 years, some environmental advocates in New York State say its time to update the bottle bill.
The New York Public Interest Research Group and others planed to deliver a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul’s offices in Syracuse November 10 calling for modernizing the Returnable Container Act passed in 1982. NYPIRG also plans to set up a giant, 15-foot inflatable bottle across from the State Office Building in Binghamton at 4 p.m.
The Bottle Bill in 1982 raised eyebrows and objections from some factions, including the beverage industry, for imposing a five-cent returnable deposit on most drink containers. The idea was that people would be less inclined to throw bottles and cans away and into the landfill if they could get a nickel back. Retailers have to accept and refund the deposits on products they sell and distributors pay retailers a handling fee.
NYPIRG, the Sierra Club and others say its time to increase recycling rates, boost redemption access to underserved communities, raise the redemption rate to $.10 and support municipal recycling programs.
The groups are also looking for the bottle bill to be expanded to wine, liquor and non-carbonated beverages.
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