By Bill Seymour, The Independent
Rhode Island could soon overhaul its recycling system under sweeping legislation introduced by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee (D-South Kingstown, Narragansett).
Nonetheless, a coalition of small retailers, grocery stores, liquor stores, labor unions and beverage distributors have joined forces to form “Stop The Rhode Island Bottle Tax” to oppose bottle deposit legislation.
The bill is a result of a special legislative commission study overseen by McEntee as co-chairman and aims to significantly increase recycling rates across the state — particularly for food and beverage waste.
“The simple truth is that our recycling system is broken and plastic waste is filling up our landfill to capacity and dirtying our streets and neighborhoods,” McEntee said.
A recent survey commissioned by Save The Bay Rhode Island shows strong public support for the proposed bottle bill, with 55% of voters in favor and just 36% opposed after hearing a basic explanation of the 10-cent deposit program aimed at boosting recycling.
After hearing arguments from both sides, support rose to 58%, with opposition dropping to 31%, widening the margin to 27 points and signaling clear public backing for legislative action.
The bill aims to boost recycling and cut down on litter through a 10-cent bottle deposit on beverage containers.
“Rhode Island’s recycling rate is a measly 26 percent, and we are polluting our beautiful state at an alarming rate. Something needs to change drastically… this piece of legislation is what Rhode Island needs to clean up our state and protect our precious environment – all while saving the taxpayers significant dollars,” McEntee said.
This proposal amounts to a new tax that would raise costs significantly on hundreds of everyday beverages at a time when Rhode Islanders are struggling with higher costs for many essentials including food, housing and utilities, according to a statement from the opposing groups.
Under this proposal, the cost of a 24-pack of water bottles would go up by $2.40. The cost of a 12-pack of sports drinks would go up by $1.20, it claimed.
“A bottle bill is going to have negative consequences for distributors, convenience, grocery and liquor store owners, and consumers,” said Eli Berkowitz, owner of Little Rhody Foods, a local food and beverage distributor.
“At the most basic level, a bottle bill is going to raise costs on the beverages Rhode Islanders buy every day, and at a time when so many families are already struggling with inflation. Instead of investing in massive new infrastructure required by the bottle bill, Rhode Island should be pursuing systems that have been proven successful,”Berkowitz said.
Bottle bills elsewhere have added unnecessary burdens on residents who are forced to take bags of bottles and cans to redemption centers to redeem them. This hurts most the busy families, seniors and low-income residents who may not have access to reliable transportation, according to opponents.
The bill would implement a two-part solution: an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for packaging and printed paper, and a bottle redemption program that places a refundable deposit on beverage containers.