City of Pittsfield Supports Updating Commonwealth's Bottle Bill
PITTSFIELD, Mass. - Mayor James M. Ruberto announced that the City of Pittsfield has made official its support of the Massachusetts Beverage Container Deposit Law (Bottle Bill) and encourages strengthening the bill by expanding the list of acceptable containers as recommended by Governor Deval Patrick. City Councilors encouraged state representatives and the governor to support and vote in favor of updating the bill.“The addition of bottled water, sports drinks, and teas to the bottle bill will decrease the total volume of municipal solid waste that is collected, thus saving disposal fees and landfill space. The environmental benefits the Bottle Bill will bring to Massachusetts cannot be overstated- reduced waste in our park and on our streets. That’s why the Pittsfield has signed a resolution pledging our support of updating the Massachusetts bottle bill,” said Mayor Ruberto.
According to MassRecycle (the Massachusetts Recycling Coalition), since the bill’s inception in 1983, more than 30 billion containers have been redeemed, contributing to a healthier environment, cleaner and safer communities, and a stronger economy. However, many newer beverages, once an insignificant part of the total sold, now comprise about one quarter of all beverages. As consumers’ tastes change, the bottle bill must be updated to account for these new bottles/containers.
Adding bottled water, sports drink and tea containers to the bottle bill will boost their recycling rate, divert millions of bottles and cans from landfills to recycling centers, and decrease litter in Massachusetts. It will also add at least $15 million in badly needed state revenue.
“We thank Pittsfield for going on the record to support updating the bottle bill,” said MassRecycle Executive Director Jessica Wozniak. “The bottle bill is the state's most successful recycling law. Since its inception, the bill has resulted in millions of containers being recycled instead of winding up in our landfills. Containers covered by the bottle bill boast a recycling rate of nearly 80%, while those not covered amount to approximately 20%.”
