Sales of sports drinks, flavored teas and water would include new nickel deposits under the first expansion of Connecticut's recycling regulations since they took effect in 1978.
Legislation approved earlier this week by the Legislature's Environment Committee would expand the state's so-called bottle bill in an attempt to increase recycling, reduce litter and address the rise of beverages not anticipated when the deposit law was enacted nearly 30 years ago.
Environmental activists praised the bill, while opponents warned it would create a new tax at a time when it makes more sense to eliminate the nickel deposit and expand sidewalk recycling.
It moves on to the Finance Committee before possible debates in the Senate and House, where it still has to overcome obstacles put in place by opponents, including state supermarkets, retailers and the state beverage industry.
But Rep. Richard Roy, D-Milford, and Sen. Bill Finch, D-Bridgeport, co-chairmen of the Environment Committee, savored a legislative victory when the legislation passed after an hour-long committee debate.
Roy conceded that the bill may not end up in its existing form, which includes PET plastic beverage containers of 2 liters or less. "I look forward to working with those who feel we could do a little better," Roy said before the 22-8 vote.
Finch said that consumer habits have changed drastically in 30 years and the updated bottle bill addresses them, including providing more money for
entities that handle the redemption of containers.
"It's not that bold a step for us to expand these containers in this bill," Finch said, adding that in compromises with the industry, milk cartons would be exempted in the new regulations, which would take effect on Oct. 1, 2008. "This is the better bottle bill and, all along we have tried to make it better."
"I recognize that litter is a large problem," Rep. Terry Backer, D-Stratford, a committee member said, adding that while he doesn't like all of its aspects, he voted for the legislation to move it along in the process. "Beaches are filled with bottles."
Rep. Lawrence G. Miller, R-Stratford, said that in his daily walks along roads in Milford and Stratford, it is plain that litter is a major eyesore.
"The problem we have in the state of Connecticut, is we have a lot of irresponsible people," Miller said. "They're slobs. Instead of taking that bottle home, after they drink it, they throw it out the window."
But Miller opposed the bill because it would result in higher consumer prices.
"I don't think that anyone here really realizes the bomb we're throwing here at the retail industry," Rep. Leonard C. Greene, R-Beacon Falls, said. The coalition of environmental groups that backed the legislation hailed the committee vote, stressing that the bill includes ways to enhance the financial stability of the program.
"In addition, this legislation will put an end to the unnecessary burning of millions of plastic beverage containers; a process that is creating literally tons of unnecessary carbon dioxide pollution and adding to the growing global warming crisis," the Better Bottle Bill Coalition said in a statement.
Brian Flaherty, spokesman for Nestle Waters, said after the vote that while the company favors overall recycling reform legislation, he warned that the opportunities for fraud — such as bringing in used water bottles from neighboring states — could result.
"Recycling is the right thing to do, and Connecticut needs a robust infrastructure and motivated citizens to make it work across the board," Flaherty said. "Nestle Waters is not against bottle bills. We are against bottle bills that are selective, punitive and that aren't enforceable or relevant to the reality of today's marketplace." Connecticut Post