NYS Grappling With Reductions In Recycling Leading Toward Solid Waste Crisis: NYPIRG’s Recommends Modernized Bottle Bill

New York State is grappling with a growing solid waste crisis:

• Society is drowning in discarded plastic waste.
• Local recycling programs struggle to keep up with glass and plastic recycling.
• On our current course, the ocean could contain by weight more plastics than fish by mid-century.

The Bottle Deposit Law, which NYPIRG championed 40 years ago, has been the most successful litter reduction and recycling program in New York history – but the state needs to modernize this program for the next 40 years so that we put an end to bottle litter and waste and grow New York’s circular economy. It is now time for a Bigger Better Bottle Bill!

Modernizing the Bottle Bill will:

• Further reduce litter in waterways, along beaches, and in communities (most notably underserved lower-income communities).
• Increase recycling rates and stimulate recycling efforts.
• Encourage the use of refillable containers.
• Contribute to a funding stream for important environmental programs.

There are three important steps needed to modernize the law:

1. Expand the Bottle Bill to include popular non-carbonated beverages, wine, spirits, and hard cider. This update will result in billions of bottles being diverted from landfills and incinerators.
2. Increase the amount of the deposit to a dime. The impact of the nickel deposit that was approved in 1982 has eroded over time, and a mere inflation update would likely make that deposit nearly 15 cents.
3. Support redemption centers by raising the handling fee that they rely upon to offer their services, which currently is not enough to support these essential businesses in the face of rising costs.

Banner Image: Garbage crisis. Image Credit – Alexander Schimmeck