Benefits of the Bottle Bill Update

The beverage market has changed dramatically since the original Bottle Bill took effect in 1983. In fact, 20 billion “new-age” beverages—mainly bottled water, juices, iced teas, and sports drinks—are consumed annually in the US, and this number is only expected to increase. Because they weren’t around at the time the original Bottle Bill passed, these beverage containers aren’t covered under the program. And as consumers purchase more of these beverages, an increasing number of containers are finding their way into landfills—an estimated 69,000 tons nationwide every year

Increased recycling: The more trash we burn and bury in the commonwealth, the more problems we generate for public health and the environment. Fourteen towns have lost drinking water because of contamination suspected from leaking landfills. Solid waste incinerators are one of the chief sources of mercury emitted into the air.

The Bottle Bill Update would more than double the recycling rate of non-redeemable containers and would give consumers more of an incentive to recycle those containers. The greatest impact of the Bottle Bill Update on recycling has would be for beverages consumed away from home, where recycling opportunities are often limited.

Approximately 50 percent of all single-serve beverages are consumed on the go. Roughly 40 percent of redeemable beverages are consumed on the go, and last year 68 percent of them were recycled. By comparison, an estimated 39 percent of non-redeemable containers were recycled.

Once the Bottle Bill is updated, state officials predict that redemption rates among cans and bottles will go up, surpassing the current 69 percent redemption rate in the commonwealth. Only 20 percent of the containers sold in Massachusetts end up in a landfill or incinerator or as litter. In contrast, in states without deposit systems, only 22 percent of containers are ultimately recycled.

Decreased litter: States with Bottle Bills experienced a 70-85 percent reduction in littered containers and a 30-35 percent reduction in overall litter after the Bottle Bill was implemented. Non-redeemable containers are nine times more likely to wind up as litter than containers eligible for a deposit.

Taxpayer savings: Trash disposal results in great costs for Massachusetts’ cities and towns. Updating the Bottle Bill would divert additional containers from the waste stream, making it more cost-effective for municipalities to recycle and would decreasing the fees that municipalities would otherwise have to pay to burn or bury their trash.

Job creation and economic activity: Gains in employment have been shown in nearly every state with deposit systems. In Michigan, an additional 4,684 jobs were added to the economy. New York found that 3,800 new jobs were created in the state. Massachusetts and Vermont gained 1,800 and 350 jobs respectively.

Improved health and safety: Removing more bottles will reduce the amount of broken glass in our playgrounds and parks, resulting in fewer incidents of cuts and lacerations among children. Less litter and broken glass along our streets and highways will also mean less property damage to farm equipment, livestock and vehicles.

Increased revenue: Unclaimed deposits have traditionally provided critical funding for many state recycling and environmental programs. The Bottle Bill currently brings the state approximately $33 million in annual revenue from unclaimed deposits. An updated Bottle Bill would contribute additional revenue to state coffers, and would re-establish the Clean Environment Fund so that the money is dedicated to recycling efforts.