New Bottle Bill Takes Effect

The Buffalo News reported today that a new bottle bill took effect today that will like result in an additional two billion bottles being recycled in the State of New York. It was reported that “The first update of the 1982 “Bottle Bill,” which provides a 5-cent deposit for bottled water containers, passed the State Legislature this year and survived court challenges, despite industry warnings of higher prices, retail hardships and negligible environmental impact.”

It is designed to help the environment and provide revenue to the State. The News reported that “The law will send 80 percent of unclaimed deposits to the state’s general fund instead of the Environmental Protection Fund, as originally proposed. One study says it will transfer $218 million to the state that used to go to bottlers and distributors…..till, with water, sugar-free flavored water and nutritionally enhanced water under a gallon in size included, nearly 90 percent of New York’s beverage containers are now covered in the bottle bill. That makes New York the sixth state to include water bottles in its container deposit laws. The Department of Environmental Conservation estimates 90 billion soda and beer containers have been recycled since the bottle bill passed 27 years ago, reducing roadside litter by some 70 percent. Proponents see similar benefits with the expanded bill.”