Even the Boston Globe agrees that the BOTTLE BILL should be done --
Bottle bill: Fighting litter is reason enough
The best reason for Massachusetts to expand the bottle bill is that collecting a nickel deposit on containers for water and other drinks will keep them from littering roadsides, polluting waterways, and taking up space in landfills. Governor Patrick is pushing for the change partly because it would yield an extra $20 million in uncollected deposits, but the environmental payoff is reason enough.
Beer and soda containers were the original target of the three-decade old law, which has worked wonders in keeping them off roadsides. But their place has been taken by containers for water, sports drinks, fruit juices, and coffee-flavored beverages — all of which would be included in the governor’s proposal.
While Patrick would use most of the extra money to help balance the state budget, he would steer about a third of it to help communities improve their recycling rates. Even if the bottle bill expansion added nothing to state coffers, the impact on litter would still amply justify it.
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