Bottlebill.org - 2009-2010 Massachusetts campaign

Massachusetts lawmakers are studying a potential expansion of the state's 28-year-old beverage container deposit program, which could net $20 million annually to state revenue. Among the changes proposed, the addition of bottled water, juice and sports drink containers to the existing redemption program could result in collecting an additional 1.2 billion containers a year, according to government estimates.

Bill Number and Name	House Bill 3515, Senate Bill 1480 Bill text
Primary Sponsor	Rep. Alice Wolf (D-Cambridge) Sen. Cynthia Creem (D-Newton)
Beverages Covered	Expanded to all nonalcoholic beverages (including water, juices, tea and flavored tea, sports drinks) except milk beverages, medicines, and infant formula. Includes beer and malt but excludes other alcoholic beverages.
Containers Covered	Defines size of container as 16 oz. to 2 liters.
Handling Fees	Increases to 3 cents, paid by the beverage distributors.

Details

In addition to the changes listed in the table above, the bottle bill expansion would also make a few minor administrative changes. The bill also adds several provisions to clarify the function, rights and responsibilities of redemption centers:

Adds a definition for "small dealer" and allows the Department of Environmental Protection to exempt them if a redemption center is nearby.
Re-establishes the "Clean Environment Fund" to be used for programs and projects to manage solid waste and for environmental protection
Increases the handling fee (the amount that redemption centers are paid by the beverage distributors) from 2.25 cents to 3 cents (the first draft of this bill changed the handling fee to 3.25 cents, but that was reduced when a Senate committee released Bill No. 2547). Redemption centers have not seen an increase in 18 years.

It is estimated that the updated bottle bill would raise approximately $20 million in new funds for the Commonwealth with no additional public costs. It would decrease landfill use, as containers take up more space in landfills than most other types of waste. It would save energy and oil, as PET “#1” plastic is 99% petroleum. It would increase the current 22% recycling rate of non-covered containers to 80%, decrease litter, and create jobs in the recycling sector.

Progress

January 20, 2009: Introduced and referred to Joint Committee on Telecommunication, Utilities and Energy.

October 7, 2009: Hearing and press conference was held. Over 100 proponents gathered in the halls of the state house to hear from elected leaders who support the update.

July 15, 2010: A new draft (Senate Bill 2547) was reported favorably by committee and referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics and Rules.

July 22, 2010: Discharged to Ways and Means committee.

July 31, 2010: Session ended without a vote. Bill effectively dead.

Track this bill in legislature

Contacts

Phil Sego
Sierra Club
617-423-5775
[email protected]
www.massbottlebill.org

Janet Domenitz
MASSPIRG
617-292-4800
[email protected]

The 2009-2010 Massachusetts Campaign

Details

Progress

Contacts