Vote Yes on 2

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Davis Goode, Editor-In-Chief

This November, Massachusetts voters will head to the polls on a number of questions, but arguably the most important of these questions is the proposed Bottle Bill, or “Question 2”. The bill calls for a five-cent deposit on all Massachusetts bottles. This act would simply expand the 1983 legislation to include deposits on water bottles and sports drinks. These bottles continue to pile up on sports fields, waterways, and parks.

The “Bottle Bill” from 1983 has been incredibly successful. The bill has helped to recycle over 80% of bottles with a deposit. However, only 23% of containers without a deposit are recycled. The remaining containers end up as litter or crowd landfills.

The bill has widespread support from a variety of sources, including former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Governor Deval Patrick, 200 cities and towns, and 400 businesses. The bill has garnered such varied support because of the simple commonsense behind it; less litter means financial savings for cleanup costs and a healthier state. However, grocery chains and large bottle manufacturers have pushed back on the bill claiming that the five cent cost could hinder business growth.

The bill requires retailers to pay distributors a five cent deposit for each can or bottle. Consumers pay the deposit but get it refunded when they recycle. The retailer then regains the deposit from the distributor and an additional 2.25-cent handling fee. Any overages go to the state’s Clean Environment Fund. The original bill has done wonders for Massachusetts recycling so far, and an expansion of the bill would produce cleaner parks, waterways, and fields.

The Bottle Bill has powerful opponents; in mid-September the American Beverage Association donated $5 million to a campaign dedicated to the defeat of the bill. Therefore, even though the bill is commonsense, wealthy opponents will continue to inundate Massachusetts television with negative ads and lobby for its defeat.

To help pass this vital legislation, contact Clare Kelly at a.clare.kelly@gmail.com or visit yeson2ma.org