For Release: Wednesday, May 30, 2007
DEC Commissioner Grannis, Local Officials, Advocates Call for Passage of the Bigger Better Bottle Bill
Demand Action in State Legislature Before Legislative Session Ends on June 21st
Saying the clock is running out on the 2007 legislative session, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis today joined Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian X. Foley and environmental advocates at Brookhaven Town Hall to call upon the State Legislature to pass the Bigger Better Bottle Bill before it goes home on June 21.
"Our 25-year old bottle bill is an unqualified success at keeping billions of bottles out of landfills and off our streets as litter," said Governor Eliot Spitzer. "Now, it's time to strengthen and modernize the bottle bill by including new categories of containers - - like fruit juices, bottled water, and sports drinks - - that barely existed in 1982 when it was passed. I call on the Legislature to adopt these changes now and make a great law even better."
"In 1982, forward-thinking leaders in state government took a stand for New York's environment and passed the Bottle Bill," said Commissioner Grannis. "Twenty-five years later, the results are in and the law has been a remarkable success. Now it's time for Albany to make another wise choice for the future and pass the Bigger Better Bottle Bill."
June 15th marks the 25th anniversary of the state's returnable container deposit law. According to Commissioner Grannis, one of the original sponsors of the Bottle Bill, over the last 25 years the Bottle Bill has reduced roadside litter by more than 70 percent, and recycled glass, plastic and aluminum deposit containers weighing more than 6 million tons.
However, the original Bottle Bill did not anticipate the huge growth in sales of bottled water, iced tea, juice and other non-carbonated beverages. Today, these drinks make up approximately 25 percent of beverage sales. Recent litter surveys have found that non-deposit, non-carbonated beverages make up more than 60 percent of the beverage container litter found on New York shorelines. The Bigger Better Bottle Bill would cover these containers.
Town Supervisor Foley said, "The Bigger, Better Bottle Bill would be of enormous benefit to every resident of New York State. Here in Brookhaven Town, it would save the town approximately $100,000 annually in waste disposal costs, redirect those containers from disposal to recycling, and make a substantial dent in the litter that mars our landscape. We have just launched a new and expanded campaign to combat litter in Brookhaven Town, and the passage of the Bigger, Better Bottle Bill would be an important component in the success of that renewed effort."
Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment Adrienne Esposito said, "After the initial Bottle Bill passed in New York 25 years ago, roadside litter declined dramatically. Unfortunately, a quick look around Long Island highways and beaches tells us that we really need to update this impressively successful law to reflect current consumer choices of non-carbonated beverages. Reducing litter and saving taxpayer's money by keeping these containers out of our municipal waste stream, are two compelling reasons to get this legislation passed this year."
Executive Director of the Long Island Neighborhood Network Neal Lewis said, "The bottle bill, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, is the most effective recycling and litter prevention program that exists. Although this law is a tremendous success, 25 years ago we did not foresee the changes in the consumer habits with non-carbonated beverages such as bottle water, iced tea, and sports drinks, that now make up almost one-third of the beverage market. Long Islanders need to realize that what happens in Albany regarding this bill -- during the next few weeks -- will be critical for funding environmental programs here on Long Island like open space purchases, watershed protection, and other local environmental programs."
Commissioner Grannis noted that an estimated additional three billion containers would be returned annually under the Bigger Better Bottle Bill. Commissioner Grannis also pointed out that as a result of using recyclable materials for the manufacturing of new products, the Bigger Better Bottle Bill would help address global climate change, saving 3.3 million barrels of oil and preventing 281,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year.
Under the current law, unredeemed deposits are kept by beverage distributors and manufacturers. The Bigger Better Bottle Bill would require the beverage industry to return these unclaimed nickels to the state, to be used for important environmental programs, such as land preservation, recycling and water quality. Commissioner Grannis said that more than $100 million in additional funding could be available for important environmental initiatives across Long Island and throughout New York State as a result of the Bigger Better Bottle Bill.
"After 25 years, the Bottle Bill needs a tune up," said Commissioner Grannis. "The only question we should ask is whether the Bigger Better Bottle Bill will improve our communities and our environment. The answer is a resounding yes, and the time to act is right now."
