The New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR) is spreading the word that the extended Bottle Bill begins Sunday, November 8, 2009. The extended bill was originally set to begin this Saturday, October 31, but New York officials are giving retailers a “grace period” to comply with the new requirement (according to Department of Environmental Conservation spokesperson Maureen Wren).
We believe this expanded program is long overdue, as it will provide an incentive for people to recycle beverage containers that do not currently have a return deposit. Faced with significant budget challenges, state government could use every nickel to help keep New York clean and beautiful. The extended bottle bill would be an easy way to both improve our environment and generate revenue.
It is estimated that this legislation would raise more than $100 million annually for environmental programs including recycling and waste prevention by directing unclaimed deposits toward local government and nonprofit environmental programs, instead of to the bottler.
Since it was enacted in 1982, the Bottle Bill has been New York’s most successful recycling and litter prevention program. Over the past 25 years, more than 90 billion bottles and cans have been returned and recycled through the Bottle Bill. More than 6 million tons of plastic, glass and metal have been kept out of our landfills and incinerators. This means that there is less litter and broken glass in our streets, parks, playgrounds and beaches, making them safer, cleaner, and more attractive.
Dianne Woske
President, NYSAR
