NY Bottle Bill Expansion Sparks Debate

February 11, 2009

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Recycling advocacy groups met recently to push a bill to expand the five-cent bottle deposit to include non-carbonated beverages and sports drinks. The groups say it will bring in more revenue than New York state anticipated, but some lawmakers and industry representatives remain skeptical, Star-Gazette reports.

The groups say expanding the bill would bring in more than $218 million in revenue for the state, compared to the $118 million originally projected by New York Governor David Paterson’s Budget Division.

However, some key lawmakers are unconvinced.

Sen. Carl Marcellino, R-Nassau County, said he is concerned the money from unclaimed deposits could be unstable in the future, since it is unclear how much people will continue to recycle.

The Business Council of New York State opposes the bill because the council sees it as “just an additional tax on New York state manufacturers, bottlers, distributors and ultimately consumers,” said Spokesman Michael Moran.

Last December, Paterson signed a legislation that will require many retail stores to recycle plastic carry-out bags or face fines.

Earlier this month, Virginia pulled out a proposed bag ban at the request of plastics industry representatives.

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Reader Comments

This is such a crock. If they want a 5 cent tax on beverages, then call it a 5 cent tax, don’t try to keep this going under the guise that it is to help with recycling. I would love to see the numbers of bottles sold (and taxed) compared to the number that are turned in by individuals for the 5 cent return versus the number that are recycled at corporate and personal curb side recycling. Without publishing those numbers and proving that the 5 cents makes a difference it is a tax and nothing more. As can be proved by the language of the people pushing the proposal, all they talk about is how much more REVENUE it will bring in, doesn’t even mention how many more bottles will be returned and recycled!

Jeff Hall | February 12th, 2009

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