Contact:
Dennis Muchmore, MUCC Executive Director (517) 346-6455
Donna Stine, MUCC Deputy Director for Policy (517) 346-6487
Dave Nyberg, MUCC Resource Policy Specialist (517) 346-6462
MUCC LAUNCHES INITIATIVE TO EXPAND STATE'S BOTTLE BILL
Recycling empty water bottles is good for conservation and the economy
LANSING—The Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) today announced a major initiative to expand the state's 32-year-old Bottle Bill to include water and other non-carbonated beverage containers.
The 50,000-member, non-profit MUCC seeks to duplicate the 1976 grassroots campaign that made Michigan the national poster child for recycling beer and soda pop containers.
Eleven other states have current or pending legislation for container-deposit recycling, and a growing number include bottled water.
Last week, for example, New York's General Assembly voted to add non-carbonated containers to its required deposit list.
"It's time for Michigan to step back to the plate," said Dennis Muchmore, MUCC Executive Director.
"Although our citizens now return 97 percent of the 5 and a half- billion bottles and cans for which they pay a deposit, they recycle only 20 percent of the bottled water containers because no deposit is required.
Eighty percent of those empty containers end up in landfills or critical wildlife habitats.
It's a terrible waste."
According to the Container Recycling Institute (CRI), in 2005 each Michigan resident bought an average of 338 bottles and cans of soda pop and 138 containers of water and other non-carbonated beverages.
More than 1.1 billion of the latter were thrown away instead of being recycled.
National trend data from the CRI shows that within a few years, sales of non-carbonated drinks will exceed pop sales.
"We can, and must, do better," Muchmore added. "Adding a ten-cent deposit to bottled water creates a win-win situation for everyone."
How so? Recycling the containers reduces litter and saves money and energy while increasing the number of Michigan jobs. The annual energy savings alone for bottles and cans of pop and beer is equivalent to 450,000 barrels of oil, enough to fuel 150,000 cars for a month. There are economic advantages as well. According to the Michigan Recycling Coalition, annual sales of recycled commodities are nearly $2 billion. The industry employs more than 5,000 people who earn $137 million each year.
MUCC believes Michigan citizens are proud of their Bottle Bill and are ready to expand it. A 2003 survey revealed that 64 percent supported a deposit on water and other non-carbonated containers. Only 16 percent opposed expansion, and 19 percent were not sure.
"Voters" are even more supportive with 76 percent favoring the concept. Given such positive feedback, from Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike, why isn't Michigan's Bottle Bill all-inclusive now?
Muchmore says more than political will is involved. "Timing is everything," he said, "and because legislation to change the current law is suddenly pending, it makes sense to include bottled water in any new bill heading to the Governor's desk for signature."
Bills introduced in both the state house and senate seek to reduce the amount of fraudulent returns to merchants. MUCC supports the proposed changes, which were initiated by a coalition of the Michigan Beer & Wine Association, the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association, and the Michigan Grocers Association. But the state's largest conservation organization of hunters and anglers wants to take a bigger step forward.
"We simply want to amend the pending legislation to include bottled water and other non-carbonated containers," Muchmore explained. "Right now Michigan can reduce fraudulent deposit returns, increase recycling, supplement the economy with new jobs, and reduce litter in our lakes, streams and other critical wildlife habitats."
Reducing the amount of litter has long been an important issue for Michigan taxpayers, who pay $5.5 million per year to clean up water bottles and other trash from the state's roadways. The current Bottle Bill has shown that when containers carry a deposit, people pick them up for free.
"That's why we're asking Michigan citizens to contact their state senator and representative to make these changes now," Muchmore said. "We only have two weeks."
The legislation comes to a vote in late June. Changing the existing Bottle Bill requires a 75 percent super-majority in each chamber (29 of 38 senate votes, 83 of 110 house votes).
Muchmore said bottled water, sport drinks and other popular beverages weren't around in 1976. "They're here now and more are being consumed every year," he said. "Michigan citizens have an opportunity to do what's right, and time is of the essence."
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Media Note: For Background Information and more details, go to www.mucc.org. --
David Nyberg
Resource Policy Specialist
Michigan United Conservation Clubs
2101 Wood Street
Lansing, MI 48912
517-346-6462
www.mucc.orgMUCC has been Michigan's first voice for Michigan's out-of-doors since 1937. MUCC clubs and members strive to Unite Citizens to Conserve, Protect, and Enhance Michigan's Natural Resources and Outdoor Heritage.