Governor Proposes Expanding the Bottle Bill

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick included in his fiscal year 2010 budget a proposal to expand the bottle bill. 

Originally enacted in 1982, the bottle bill imposed a redeemable five-cent deposit on cans and bottles of beer and soda. By also requiring a nickel deposit on water, juice, energy drink and sport drink containers, the state would reduce litter, expand recycling programs and generate revenue for water rate relief, as well as a little bit of revenue for the state budget. 

The resulting increase in bottle and can recycling would also help sustain and create jobs in Massachusetts through increased collection, processing and remanufacturing of aluminum, glass and plastic.

Related Links:

Expanded Bottle Bill Proposal & Information

Governor's web site 

MassDEP Commissioner Laurie Burt: Nickels for Recycling & Water Ratepayers

BlueMassGroup.com web site

Fact Sheet: Municipal Benefits of an Expanded Bottle Bill

Web page

Fact Sheet: Beverage Containers in Litter & Public Waste Receptacles

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