The 2007-2008 Tennessee Campaign

Tennessee's 2007-2008 bottle bill, dubbed POP for Pride of Place, continues to gain ground, in large part because of the program's significant economic benefits. By emphasizing the impacts of hundreds of small, independent redemption centers, thousands of new jobs, lucrative fundraising opportunities for schools and community groups, and boosts to manufacturing industries that need the recycled scrap, POP now has 14 sponsors from both parties.
Bill Number and Name SB 1408 Bill text
and HB 1829 Bill text
Tennessee Beverage Container Deposit Act of 2007
Primary Sponsor Sen. Doug Jackson, D-25 (Dickson)
Rep. Mike Turner, D-51 (Old Hickory)
Containers Covered All sealed containers of glass, aluminum, steel, bimetal, or plastic containing eligible beverages (up to 2 liters)
Beverages Covered All ready-to-drink beverages excluding milk, unmixed wine and liquor, medicines, and liquid food
Deposits 5¢
Handling Fees 3¢ deposit beverage container fee, paid by the distributor to the Department of Environment and Conservation
Reclamation System Return to certified redemption centers
Unredeemed Deposits Fund the program, reimburse cities and counties for lost property tax revenue, fund environmental programs, and some are returned to distributors.

Details

In 2007, SB1408 and HB1829 were introduced in legislature but not brought forward. The same bills are being "recycled" in 2008.

Four key features distinguish the Tennessee bill:

First, redemption centers are entirely voluntary under the bill, and must meet certification requirements for such things as location, hours of operation, access, safety and hygiene. (A 3-cent-per-container handling fee will insure plenty of applicants.) Retailers who wish to act as redemption centers must apply for certification like everyone else.

Second, distributors are not involved in the post-redemption process. Instead, a network of private recycling firms will provide pickup, verification, processing and brokering services in return for all or some of the scrap value. Containers will be sorted by material and color only, and counts will be independently certified by weight and/or volume.

Third, the state handles the money, collecting the initial 5-cent deposits and 3-cent handling fees from the distributors, and disbursing payments to the redemption centers. Unclaimed deposits remain with the program and must be used exclusively for purposes related to the bill. All program costs, including an estimated 24 new staff positions within the Division of Solid Waste Management, will be covered by the handling fees.

Fourth, a portion of the unclaimed deposits ($10 million) will be used to continue to fund the popular "county litter grants" program, which uses county prisoners to pick up litter and also supports litter education by counties as well as Keep Tennessee Beautiful. Existing "litter taxes" on beer and soft drinks, which have funded the program since 1981, will be eliminated.

In order to gain visibility and press for the bill, recruit potential redemption centers and educate the public and local officials about its many benefits, POP coordinator Marge Davis took a series of bike rides, dubbed "Hop on POP," across the state in October 2007.

Progress

February 8, 2007: SB1408 introduced

February 14, 2007: HB1829 introduced

March 19, 2008: HB1829 Placed on cal. Government Operations Committee for March 26, 2008

May 21, 2008: Legislature adjourned and both bills died in committee

Contacts

Marge Davis
Scenic Tennessee
Coordinator, Tennessee Bottle Bill Project
www.tnbottlebill.org
[email protected]
(615) 758-8647

Sen. Doug Jackson
Primary sponsor of Senate bill
[email protected]

Rep. Mike Turner,
Primary sponsor of House bill
[email protected]