Bill textRepresentatives McCullough, Jim Martin, Cynthia Pearson, Christopher
Two opposing bills related to Vermont's deposit system were introduced this spring: One would expand it, and one would repeal it.
| Bill Number and Name | S.21 and H.74 Bill text |
|---|---|
| Sponsors | Senators Lyons, Virginia "Ginny," Pollina, Anthony Representatives McCullough, Jim Martin, Cynthia Pearson, Christopher |
| Beverages Covered | Expanded to include wine and all noncarbonated beverages. Excludes dairy, rice milk, and soy milk. |
| Unredeemed Deposits | Reclaimed by the state |
Vermont's original beverage container deposit law, implemented in 1973, put a deposit on beer, mixed wine drinks, and carbonated soft drinks. Expanded in 1987 to include liquor, it would be expanded again by S.21 to include wine and noncarbonated soft drinks.
The bill also specifies that retailers may only refuse to accept returns if a redemption center is located within one mile of their store. The process for establishing redemption centers is clarified, giving the Agency of Natural Resources the power to create rules and requirements for the establishment of redemption centers.
Another significant change to the existing deposit law regards the fate of unredeemed deposits. Under existing law, the manufacturers or distributors get to keep unclaimed funds. The new bill would require them to keep all deposit monies in a separate account, and remit all unclaimed deposits to the commissioner of taxes every month. They may, however, keep any interest earned on the account in the previous month. The unclaimed deposits collected by the state are to be kept in a "clean environment jobs fund" and used to support and promote jobs related to recycling and waste management, as well as to run an extended producer responsibility program also established by this bill.
Under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Program, the Agency of Natural Resources is authorized to designate certain consumer products for special product stewardship regulations. These designated products may not be sold in the state unless the manufacturer has, among other requirements, implemented an approved stewardship plan for the product, or is part of an organization that handles the product stewardship requirements on the manufacturer's behalf. Designated products also are banned from landfills.
January 20, 2011: H.74 Read First Time and Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Energy
January 21, 2011: S.21 Introduced and referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Energy
Charity Carbine
Environmental Health Advocate
Vermont Public Interest Research Group
802-223-8421 x4108
[email protected]
| Bill Number and Name | H.218 Bill text |
|---|---|
| Primary Sponsor | Cheney, Margaret Edwards, Sarah Sharpe, Dave |
Like S.21, H.218 also relates to producer responsibility. However, rather than expanding the container deposit system, H.218 ignores it. A repeal bill was introduced in 2010 but did not pass. This bill, while not explicitly calling for the repeal of the deposit law, would open the way for its eventual elimination.
The introduction to the bill states: "While Vermont’s beverage container redemption system (known as the bottle bill) diverts a high percentage of the beverage containers included under the redemption system, the bottle bill has resulted in the development of two separate recycling systems, one for covered beverage containers and one for other recyclable packaging and printed materials. Maintaining two separate recycling systems results in unnecessarily high costs for consumers, significantly increased vehicle traffic to recycling centers, and a higher carbon 5 footprint for the state." It goes on to suggest that a comprehensive law covering all packaging materials would be a better solution.
It requires that printed materials and packaging sold in Vermont be covered by an extended producer responsibility program approved by the agency of natural resources.
Several reports were produced to support the argument that Vermont's deposit law should be repealed; however, most of them were based on erroneous assumptions. CRI's responses to these reports are below.
February 10, 2011: Introduced and referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Energy
Charity Carbine
Environmental Health Advocate
Vermont Public Interest Research Group
802-223-8421 x4108
[email protected]