Container Deposits/Bottle Bill

This thread is for discussion, comments and ideas regarding container deposit laws, more commonly known as Bottle Bills.

Posted on behalf of Pamela Palma, submitted to recycling.goal@dep.state.fl.us
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Dear DEP,

Many states have found it advantageous to charge deposits on cans and bottles of soda, beer, water, etc. The consumer pays a mere five cents which is then repaid upon return and recycling of said containers. Many stores in New York State for example, have very efficient machines inside the store lobbies which collect, read the bar codes and tabulate the total deposits. A receipt is printed out and may be cashed in at the check out registers. As a result of this program, there is very little litter, and fewer items going into land fills. Further, many organizations and school groups collect deposit bottles and cans for fundraising.
This is nothing new. These practices have been in place throughout the country for decades. Florida is sadly lagging in its progressive attempts. We must move into the 21st century.

Regards and best wishes,
Pamela Palma

Posted on behalf of Brenda Cross, submitted to recycling.goal@dep.state.fl.us
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I believe bottle and can deposits should be brought back! When I was a kid, I would ride my horse to the store. By the time I got there, I would pick up enough bottles to get enough money to buy a coke!

This would also help with the GARBAGE problem on the side of the road! How many bottles and cans do the mowers run over every week in the summer on the sides of the roads?

SHAME on us for not having deposits on aluminum cans and bottles! Make the deposit large enough to make people actually want to do it for extra money! Put recycle bins at churches and let them have the money.

I for one, would vote for it, and all my family would too.

Brenda Cross

Posted on behalf of Kathleen Pagan, submitted to Ron Henricks via e-mail.
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Hello Mr. Henricks,

As a citizen and professional land use planner I support a "bottle bill" for
Florida.

For over 5 years I have participated several times annually in a clean up at
the Sweetwater Branch in the Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park.

Each cleanup we collect so much litter we are rather discouraged we will
never see an end in sight. Most of the tons collected are plastic bottles
and cans. A bottle bill will help stop this from reaching the waste stream.

Also, as you may be aware the City of Curitaba, Brazil, made advances in
recycling by offering incentives such as transit passes.


Thank you. Kathleen


Kathleen W. Pagan, AICP, Senior Planner

Posted on behalf of Patricia Tyra, submitted to recycling.goal@dep.state.fl.us
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Perhaps if there were bottle/can deposits and return centers, less bottles and cans would be thrown in trash, not even recycled. You may want to ask a few states who do this what their success is.

Florida is way past the time to be taking this action to reduce waste. As a kid in another state I would collect discarded bottles and cans at the beach after weekend parties and return them for the deposit money. It was my only speeding money! So I benefited and other beach goers had a cleaner beach!
Pat

Posted on behalf of Teree Sutton, sent to recycling.goal@dep.state.fl.us
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To Whom it may concern,
I would like to strongly suggest that the State of Florida implement a statewide "bottle deposit/return" program. Beverage containers (glass, aluminum, and plastic) comprise a great deal of waste in our landfills. A deposit/return program has the great potential alleviate virtually all of that particular waste. Other states have implemented this type of program to great success.
Thank you,

Ms. Tereé Sutton

I concur with all of the past comments on bottle bills. Here is a link to the State of Maine - the state has all of the information on line with Facts and Myths, etc. The ONLY way that we will ever achieve this goal is to implement a deposit and redemption program. It will provide funds for individuals and groups to collect cans and bottles to raise money. Maine has over 30 years of experience.

Florida needs to take leadership in this. All the education in the world will not work unless you give people an incentive and hit their pocketbook.

Here is the link. I hope someone takes the time and looks at it and finds someone in the house and the senate to offer a bill for Florida.

http://www.bottlebill.org/legislatio...FQq3sgodS0E0-Q


We cannot waste any more time.

Here in Jacksonville we have recycle bins we put out once a week. I don't mind rinsing my plastic drink bottles, etc., and putting them out on the curb along with the rest of my refuse, but I draw the line on hauling them back to the store to get back a nickle. Why punish all when it's a minority that offends? Think a nickle is going to stop an inconsiderate person from rolling down his car window and chunking his bottle or can to the roadside? I think not!
I believe it's a educational issue. Let's run the recycle ads again. They will convince most, but no program, deposit, fines, or other such actions will stop ALL abuses.

In Key West, FL we have a big problem with litter. We also have a big homeless population that no doubt adds much to the litter problem as they congregate and sleep in our mangroves, where much of the trash is found. A container deposit would eliminate cans and bottles from the litter pile, with the help of our homeless and others looking to put a few dollars in their pockets.

This is exactly what i was looking for. thank you for the informative post and keep up the good work!