Michigan lawmakers are proposing a bill to expand the state’s bottle return program to include all beverages, except milk containers. Currently, only certain beverages, such as soft drinks and beer, have a refundable 10-cent deposit. The new legislation, reintroduced in the state House and Senate, aims to include other beverage containers like tea, water, sports drinks, and hard cider. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Christine Morse and Sen. Sean McCann, both Democrats.
The proposed legislation would also require large stores to participate in universal redemption, meaning they would be required to accept and refund deposits for all eligible beverage containers. Supporters of the bill argue that expanding the bottle deposit program would build upon the success of the initial 1976 bottle bill, which has been effective in promoting recycling and preventing litter.
Michigan is one of 10 states in the U.S. that currently has a bottle deposit program. Under Michigan’s bottle bill, one-third of the deposit money is deposited into a statewide fund used for environmental cleanup, while the rest is returned to retailers. However, the rate of return for containers has been in slight decline since 1990, with Michigan residents returning about 73% of containers in 2020, compared to the highest recorded rate of 100.4%.
While supporters of the bottle deposit policy emphasize its recycling benefits, retailers argue that the process is unsanitary and expensive. They believe that expanding the program would further complicate the system. The Michigan Retailers Association expressed their desire for a more efficient recycling solution while acknowledging the need for a bottle deposit law.
The newly reintroduced bills have been referred to committee and await a hearing. To become law, they would need to pass both legislative chambers and be signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The outcome of these proposed changes to Michigan’s bottle deposit program will have implications for both consumers and retailers in the state.
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Original Story at www.mlive.com – 2023-07-27 20:45:00
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