More than 70% concerned state’s recycling system not working
By Staff, ecoRI News
PROVIDENCE — A new poll of registered voters in Rhode Island finds that most support the creation of a deposit return system for beverage containers, better known as a bottle bill.
The poll was conducted by the Washington, D.C.-based Mellman Group. It was paid for by Save The Bay, the Can Manufacturers Institute, and Clean Water Action.
Among the poll’s findings:
There is widespread concern about litter and waste along the Ocean State’s coastline and in local marine waters (85%), with 65% saying it is of “great concern” to them.
Nearly three-quarters (71%) are concerned that “Rhode Island’s recycling system is not working.” Similarly, 73% are concerned that the Central Landfill in Johnston is nearing capacity.
After hearing arguments from both sides, a healthy majority (58% to 31%) supports a bottle bill.
Most voters said they are likely to return their empty beverage containers. When told where redemption centers would be located, 57% said they were likely to participate — 38% said they were unlikely.
“Rhode Islanders are tired of seeing single-use beverage containers littering our streets and our shoreline,” Jed Thorp, Save The Bay’s director of advocacy, said. “These poll results show that Rhode Islanders support the adoption of a bottle bill and that they’re likely to return their empty containers once a system is in place.”
International Coastal Cleanups coordinated by Save The Bay have identified single-use beverage containers as one of the top pieces of trash collected. Last year, 2,733 volunteers collected 114,914 total pieces of trash, including 25,276 pieces of trash from single-use beverage containers.
A growing coalition of environmental organizations, industry trade groups, and beverage brands are pressing the General Assembly to pass a bottle bill this year. Proponents say bottle bills are a proven and effective policy to reduce litter…