Aug 21, 2006 - Gubernatorial candidate Deval Patrick ( later elected) issues statement in support of updating the Bottle Bill : “ I support expanding the bottle deposit law to include bottled water, juice and sports drinks. But to avoid an unreasonable burden on small businesses that will have to handle increased volumes and types of containers, these businesses should be allowed to get a fair increase in the handling fee, which should be evaluated periodically to balance all the interests. “
March 2006 - The bill to update Massachusetts' bottle bill was "sent to study" late in the legislative session and was not passed. [Read the entire press release]