Plastic Container Fee Bill Awaits Approval in CA
by Ashley Schiller
Published on August 4th, 2008
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A pending bill would expand California’s beverage bottle redemption fee to include other plastic containers such as peanut butter jars and salad dressing bottles, reports The Sacramento Bee.
If passed, the redemption fee would apply to plastic containers holding food, household products and other items. Wines, distilled spirits and milk containers would remain as exceptions. A five-cent deposit would be charged on plastic containers under 24 ounces, and 10 cents on larger containers.
The bill’s author, Sen. Ellen Corbett, said his goals are to reduce water pollution and increase recycling. He was inspired to extend the fee after viewing the jump in recycling rates in 2006 following modifications of the original bottle bill.
Opponents of the bill worry about the cost to consumers and proper management of the plastics. They also worry manufacturers will begin substituting plastic with containers made of materials even more harmful to the environment.
The bill has passed the Senate, and awaits passage in the Assembly.
Use Earth911 to find a location to recycle your plastic beverage bottles.
