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| 1. Would a deposit law have a substantial
effect on reducing the amount of
material destined for landfills?
YES. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 3 million tons of beer and soda containers are being recycled in the U. S. The Container Recycling Institute estimates that that number would double, if the 40 non-bottle bill states enacted a deposit return system . 2. Will a deposit law complement other recycling programs? YES. It has been confirmed in studies funded by both government and industry that a combined program of curbside recycling and beverage container deposits maximizes a community's recycling potential. The cities of Seattle and Cincinnati conducted studies which concluded that a combined system of curbside recycling and deposits would divert more materials at a lower cost to government than the curbside program alone. In 1992, the New York State Legislative Commission on Solid Waste conducted a survey of municipal recycling coordinators. One of the questions asked was "Is the Returnable Container Act compatible with your current recycling program?" More than four out of five (84 percent) said "Yes, the two are compatible." Only 6 percent answered "No".
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3. Will a deposit law substantially reduce litter?
YES. A 1990 U.S. Government Accounting Office (GAO) report estimated that bottles and cans represent 40-60% of total litter nationwide. States with deposit laws report reductions in beverage container litter ranging from 69-83%. The few cans and bottles that are tossed on sidewalks, playgrounds and beaches in bottle bill states are soon picked up, because they are worth a nickel or a dime. According to data from The Center for Marine Conservation bottle and can debris makes up 7% of beach litter in bottle bill states and 19% of beach litter in non-bottle bill states, on average. 4. Do consumers prefer beverage container deposit laws as a waste management solution? YES. Beverage container deposit laws enjoy widespread public support nationwide, ranging from 70% in a 1990 poll by the U.S. General Accounting Office to 76% in a poll by Peter D. Hart Research Associates. 5. Will a deposit law divert revenue from state and federal governments? NO. The beverage industry argues that price increases due to the bottle bill result in decreases in beverage sales, and therefore, decreased revenue (taxes) for state and federal governments. While there is some evidence of increases in prices and decreases in sales after implementation of a bottle bill, the sales losses are short lived. Furthermore, price increases would result in increased sales and excise tax revenues, even with the short-lived losses in sales. |