Guam 2010 Campaign
Senator Muña-Barnes has introduced deposit legislation in Guam for the second year in a row; this year, the pledged support of the military will be an asset to the success of the bill.
| Bill Number and Name | Bill #149, Guam Beverage Container Recycling Act |
|---|---|
| Primary Sponsor | Tina Rose Muña-Barnes, F.B. Aguon, Jr. |
| Beverages Covered | All nonalcoholic beverages, beer, ale, malt beverages, mixed spirits, mixed wine. Excludes milk, supplements, and medicines. |
| Containers Covered | Any sealed glass, metal, or plastic container, up to 64 oz. |
| Deposits | 5¢ |
| Handling Fees | None |
| Other Fees / Taxes | 20% of the deposit (1¢) per container retained by Guam Environmental Protection Agency (GEPA) |
| Reclamation System | Return to redemption centers |
| Unredeemed Deposits | Retained by GEPA |
Details
An essential part of the introduction to the bill is an explanation of how the military has agreed to support the bill providing it is similar to Hawaii's deposit system. The military was previously unwilling to cooperate with proposed deposit regulations, which thwarted the progress of previous bottle bills in Guam. The bill will not come into effect until the military has signed a voluntary agreement "that provides for such deposit fees to be assessed and collected throughout Guam, including all locations both on and off federal property, in the manner described in such voluntary agreement." The deposit system will come to an end at any time the agreement comes to an end.
Another concern with previously introduced bottle bills is that the deposit system would undermine Guam's IRecycle program, an aluminum reycling program which collects money for schools. The bill's introduction states that the deposit system would not compete with IRecycle, but rather bring in more material and thus more profit for the program.
The bill sets waste reduction goals of at least five percent (5%) each year from 2010 to 2016, achieving a thirty-five percent (35%) reduction by the year 2016. Additionally, if a waste-to-energy plant is established in Guam during those years, the yearly reduction goals will be increased by 5%.
Beverage containers must be approved by the Guam Environmental Protection Agency (GEPA) before they can be sold with a deposit, and containers will only be approved if a process to recycle, reuse, convert to energy, or physically remove
them from Guam exists.
Sets up the Beverage Container Recycling Deposit Fund, to be maintained by the GEPA and to be used to administer the program and fund programs to increase recycling.
Provisions in the bill also explain the reporting system to which beverage distributors must adhere and the process by which redemption centers are licensed. Creates an advisory committee to assist in the development of all rules needed to implement the law.
A number of amendments were made in committee, mostly relating to the law's effective date, and having little effect on the law's substance. One significant amendment allows the EPA to change the deposit amount.
Detailed records of the process leading to the bill's passage were consolidated and made available to the public in a PDF. The legislative file contains voting history and written testimony on the bill, as well as the original version of the bill. The law was signed on December 30, 2010.
Progress
June 12, 2009: Introduced and referred to Rules committee.
December 22, 2010: Passed out of Senate
December 30, 2010: Signed into law
The 2008 Guam Campaign
Senator Tina Rose Muña-Barnes introduced a bottle bill for Guam that could offer great benefits for the small island's waste management.
| Bill Number and Name | Bill # 244 |
|---|---|
| Primary Sponsor | Sen. Tina Muña-Barnes |
| Containers Covered | Any sealed glass, high density polyethylene, metal, plastic beverage bottle, can, jar, or carton, up to 64 ounces |
| Beverages Covered | All liquid beverages for human consumption. (excludes medicines) |
| Deposits | 5¢ (only 75% refundable) |
| Reclamation System | Return to approved redemption centers |
| Unredeemed Deposits | Remain in the Recycling Deposit Fund to fund program |
Details
Before a container can have a deposit value, it must be approved for recycling. Containers may not be placed upon list of containers identified for recycling unless a process to recycle, reuse, or physically remove containers from Guam has been established or will be established concurrent with placement upon said list.
Progress
March 18, 2008: Introduced
March 20, 2008: Referred to Committee on the Judiciary, Natural Resources, Infrastructure and Cultural Affairs
2003 Guam Bottle Bill Campaign
According to news sources, Senator Tina Rose Muña-Barnes sponsored deposit legislation in the 27th Guam legislature, which was held from January 2003 to December 2004. The bill was defeated, but the senator introduced bottle bills in the 28th and 30th legislatures as well.