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Sunshine State Bottle Bill

Sunshine State Bottle Bill . Why We Should Support It. Introduction - Bottle Bill . Florida is considering a bottle bill. What is a bottle bill? Do other States have successful bottle bills? How does it work? Why should Floridians support a bottle bill?. Florida Legislation.

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Sunshine State Bottle Bill

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  1. Sunshine State Bottle Bill Why We Should Support It.

  2. Introduction - Bottle Bill • Florida is considering a bottle bill. • What is a bottle bill? • Do other States have successful bottle bills? • How does it work? • Why should Floridians support a bottle bill?

  3. Florida Legislation • In 2008, Florida set a Recycling Rate Goal of 75%, by the year 2020. • Studies by Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation suggest profitability and increased recycling rates if the bottle bill were to be adopted. • Florida Legislation will need to determine approach and deposit amount.

  4. What is a Bottle Bill? • A bottle bill is a law that requires distributors/retailers to collect a refundable deposit on beverage containers, usually 5 – 10 cents, that would be refunded when consumers return the empty bottles.

  5. How Does it work? • Distributor collects deposits when they deliver to the retailer. Retailer collects from consumer when we purchase beverage. • Deposit is refunded to consumer when container is returned. Deposit is refunded to retailer when containers are returned to distributor.

  6. What happens to the returned bottles? • Bottles are sent to recyclers where glass containers are sorted by color, crushed and used to make new bottles or other materials. • Both glass and plastic containers are recycled. • All States include beer, soft drinks, and other forms of alcoholic drinks. Only a few states take iced tea, sport drinks and water bottles. However, many states are working to expand their current bottle bills to include these types of beverages that were not popular when the bills were originally passed. Glass Cullet

  7. Overview – Existing Bottle Bills • 29% of the USA population lived in the 10 Bottle Bill states and recycled half of all containers in 2008. • Non-Bottle Bill states represent 71% of the USA population and recycled only 49% of containers.

  8. Overview – Existing Bottle Bills Continued 2008 Population of Bottle Bill States: California - 37,253,956 Connecticut - 3,574,097 Hawaii - 1,288,198 Iowa - 3,002,555 Maine - 1,316,456 Mass - 6,497,967 Michigan - 10,003,422 New York - 19,490,297 Oregon - 3,790,060 Vermont - 621,270 Total - 86,838,278 or 29% of population

  9. How Many Bottles are we Talking About? • A study by UF shows that Floridians consume 36 million sodas/other container beverages on an average day. • Bottles represent 5.4% of the Waste Stream • In 2009, 83% (331,005 tons), were disposed in landfills. • Beverage litter may account for 3% of all roadside litter – 1.3 billion containers.

  10. Bottle Bills Reduce Litter

  11. What the Bottle Bill would Mean for Florida • Cleaner, safer beaches and litter free water. • We are a tourism based economy, our beaches and water are one of the reasons why tourists come!

  12. Job Creation for Floridians

  13. Other Benefits for Florida • Less garbage in landfills. • Recycling rates go up. • Saved energy and resources. • Makes producers and consumers. • Reduced litter.

  14. Opposition - Not everyone wants a Bottle Bill • Higher operating cost for bottle distributors. • More drivers, more storage space, etc. • Capital equipment investments. • Customer inconvenience. • Misunderstanding that bottle bill diverts attention from community curbside recycling programs.

  15. Answers to Opposition • Initially, there may be an increase in cost to State and manufacturers. This can be covered by unclaimed or abandoned deposits. It can go to the State, or to the manufacturer or split, depending on how the bill is written. • Deposits are much more effective than other programs, however, they work best when combined with other collection methods. • Curbside programs are still not available to over 50% of population and many beverages are consumed away from home. • Bottle Bills produce higher quality recycled material

  16. Conclusion - Bottle Bill • Less litter, less beach pollution, a plus for a state that depends on tourism. • New jobs for Floridians. • Less garbage in our landfills. • Increased recycling – increased accountability. • Save energy and resources.

  17. Q & A and What can we do? • Start a petition. • Seek a resolution of support for the Sunshine State Bottle Bill from your local governments, businesses or organizations (environmental, garden clubs, rotary clubs etc...). • Write an editorial for your local newspaper. • Write, call or email your state legislator. • Meet with your local candidates and lobby for the Sunshine State Bottle Bill. • Hold an event to raise awareness and bring attention to our cause. • Volunteer: contact linda.demler@sierraclub.org for more information. • Visit http://florida.sierraclub.org/bottlebill.asp for more information and resources.

  18. Sources • Bureau of Economic and Business Research, Analysis of a Florida Beverage Container Deposit Refund System, University of Florida, Mar. 15, 2011, http://www.bebr.ufl.edu/content/bottle-bill-report • BEAR Executive Summary • Container Recycling Institute • Cover Photo by FerdiRizkiyanto

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