Reblogged
from, and originally posted on, Mass Audubon’s “Your Great Outdoors” blog on
July 7, 2014.
 |
| Courtesy of MASSPIRG |
Although Mass Audubon did not participate in the signature
collection, we are fully supportive of the ballot campaign for this much-needed
update. The campaign is heading to the ballot because the state legislature failed to pass an update to the existing bill by
their deadline.
We urge Mass Audubon
members and Massachusetts voters to Vote YES on Question 2 this November to
Update the Bottle Bill!
About the Bottle Bill
The Bottle Bill, the nickel deposit on BEVERAGE
CONTAINERS , is the state’s most successful recycling and
litter prevention program. Since the Bottle Bill’s passage in 1983, more than 35 billion containers have been redeemed,
contributing to a healthier environment, cleaner and safer communities, and a
stronger economy. But to keep up with the times and consumers’ tastes, the
Bottle Bill must be updated.
An updated Bottle Bill would expand our
container deposit system to include drinks such as non-carbonated beverages,
water, iced tea, juice, and sports drinks. Almost 70% of deposit beverage
containers are redeemed each year under the current Bottle Bill, adding to the
9-10% of containers recovered through curbside recycling.
Overall, deposit
containers are recycled at a rate of about 80%, while non-deposit
containers are recycled at only 23%.
Stay Informed
You can stay up-to-date on how to help with
the ballot campaign by visiting the Coalition to Update the Bottle
Bill’s website.
Congratulations to the Coalition for all the
work that went into collecting these signatures! We will keep you informed as
the campaign moves into high gear over the summer and into the fall election
season.
