With hundreds of non-deposit bottles and cans as a backdrop, representatives from Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group, Boston, state legislators, local officials and other environmental groups announced the filing of state legislation to update the state’s container deposit legislation, commonly known as a "bottle bill", to include juice, iced tea, bottled water, sport drinks and wine, among other beverage containers. The legislation was filed for the 1997 legislative session last December with 21 out of 40 state senators and 88 out of 160 representatives co-sponsoring the bill. The bill had more sponsors than any other one filed for 1997.
Massachusetts’ bottle bill, which became law in 1982, calls for a five cent deposit on malt beverage and carbonated soda containers. More than 80 percent of these containers are returned every year for recycling. However, due to the dramatic increase in other types of beverages, such as those mentioned above, proponents of the bill feel that it needs overhauling.
In addition to the bottle bill, other recycling-related legislation introduced included the Green Dot Labeling Bill, the Recycled Content Labeling Bill, and the Plastics Packaging Bill.
The Green Dot Bill would establish a voluntary green dot labeling program where manufacturers can place a green dot on their packaging if the packaging complies with recycled content standards set by the state’s Secretary of Environmental Affairs.
The Recycled Content Labeling Bill would require that packaging for products sold in the state bear a label stating the total percentage of recycled content of the package, and the Plastics Packaging Bill would require 80 percent of the state’s municipal recycling programs to accept used plastic packaging containers.
All four proposed bills are expected to go to committee this month.
TARGET STORES
ARE TOPS IN RECYCLINGThe California Integrated Waste Management Board, Sacramento, has presented its inaugural Waste Reduction Award Program "WRAP of the Year" award to Target Stores, a chain that operates about 120 department stores throughout the state. In a single year’s time, Target Stores cut its packaging waste by 80 percent in its clothes department. Also, by reducing its reliance on pins, tissue, clips, tape and individual packages, the store chain eliminated 75 percent of its garbage tonnage.
Target reuses its packaging, requires suppliers to eliminate excess packaging, employs recycled-content paper in advertising, and recycles more than 1 million pounds of plastic film annually. Target, based in Minneapolis, has 736 stores in the United States.
PANICKED CITIES AND STATES PASS UNPOPULAR LAWS
In an effort to meet what some say are unrealistically high recycling goals, some cities and states are passing laws and policies designed to ensure recycling compliance. However, these often work against the interests of established recycling firms. Babylon, N.Y., for example, last year established a commercial waste district. The town, which requires businesses to source-separate recyclables in order to receive a lower garbage and recycling hauling rate, has a policy that only official town vendors can collect commingled recyclables from businesses. Other recyclers must collect materials that are source-separated. This works against the interest of recyclers who have invested in facilities to separate commingled recyclables and essentially shuts them out of doing business in the town, according to Anthony Leteri, president of USA Recycling, Kings Park, N.Y. Babylon is attempting to meet a state law requiring that 50 percent of the town’s waste stream be recycled by 1997.
COUNTY TO FRANCHISE BUY RECYCLED PROGRAM
The Seattle-based King County Commission for Marketing Recyclable materials has just completed plans for a major expansion of its "Get In The Loop," retail promotion of recycled products. In partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, the commission has developed a franchise package that other state and local governments and non-profits can purchase and implement to increase retail sales of recycled-content products.
Franchises receive all the materials and support necessary to recruit and service local retailers who agree to promote recycled products in their stores. These materials include recruitment brochures, shelf and store signage, media kits, advertising templates and sales tracking vehicles. Also, a how-to guide is included for franchisees on effective retail sales promotion. In turn, franchisees pay for services based on the size of their community’s promotion. The complete program is being offered starting at $16,500 for other communities. For more information, call Melissa Wangen at (206) 296-0234.
EPA OFFERS FINANCING GUIDE FOR RECYCLING BUSINESSES
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, has released a publication titled A Financing Guide for Recycling Businesses: Investment Forums, Meetings and Networks. To receive a copy, call 1-800-424-9346 and request document #EPA-530-R-96-012.
COLORADO RESIDENTS SCORE HIGH IN RECYCLINGResidents in Colorado continue their excellent municipal recycling habits, according to figures published by Colorado Recycles, Lakewood, Colo., the statewide recycling association. Figures released for 1995 revealed that the average resident recycled 104.6 pounds of materials – 3 percent more than in 1994. Overall, 858 million pounds of materials, such as aluminum and steel cans, glass and plastic containers, and paper, were collected in the state. The largest increase was in the area of plastics recycling, which jumped 40 percent from 4.7 million pounds in 1994 to 6.6 million pounds in 1995. Fewer aluminum cans and glass bottles were collected, but the association attributes that decrease to more types of drinks being converted to plastic packaging. Steel can collection amounts were also up to 7.6 million pounds from 6.4 million pounds, and all types of paper were up to 765 million pounds from 762 million pounds.
Explore the February 1997 Issue
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