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John Benedict
New Member
64 Posts |
 Posted - 06/27/2008 : 12:24:31
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We have a unique opportunity to make history, but we must act fast!
Your help is needed today!
Call your State Senator and State Representative and tell them you want water bottles and other non-carbonated beverage containers added to the "bottle bill" - It just makes $ense . Here's why:
a.. Michigan's bottle bill was revolutionary in 1976 but now it's outdated. The sale of water and other non-carbonated beverages will soon surpass the sale of pop in Michigan. 1 Michigan voters demanded a strong beverage recycling program when they overwhelmingly approved the Bottle Law in 1976, but bottled water and other sport and juice drinks that are popular today just weren't around.
b.. Recycling makes $ense!
- The 5.5 billion bottles and cans recycled each year 2 under Michigan's Bottle Bill saves energy. The energy alone saved from recycling containers is equivalent to 450,000 barrels of oil. That's enough to fuel 150,000 cars per month.
- More recycling also creates more jobs for Michigan. The processing of recyclable materials generates nearly $2 billion in revenue from the sale of recycled commodities each year. This industry employs more than 5,000 people at the total rate of $137 million per year!
- Michigan tax payers pay $5.5 million per year to clean up water bottles and other trash from Michigan's roadways - there is no reason why hard earned tax dollars should be used to pick up trash that can easily be recycled under our effective Bottle Bill law. With an expanded bottle bill, Michigan taxpayers will also save money on garbage disposal fees and will pay less for litter pickup and recycling.
c.. The bottle bill reduces litter . Pop and beer cans have virtually disappeared from Michigan's roadsides and beaches since the Bottle Bill was passed. Michigan consistently has the lowest percentage of container litter along its beaches nationwide, accordingly to the Center for Marine Conservation. If there is a deposit, people will pick up bottles...for free! Michigan's bottle law has already proved this fact. While Michigan recycles 97% of the containers that fall under the Bottle Bill, 80% of non-carbonated containers are not recycled.4 Unfortunately as we all know, those containers are end up either in a landfill or in our streams and lakes, on our beaches or along roadsides. No one recognizes this more than Michigan's hunters and anglers.
Please call your State Senator and State Representative today and ask them to support adding water and other non-carbonated bottles to Michigan's Bottle Law. If you need help contacting your legislator, please contact April Bennett (abennett@mucc.org or 517-346-6472).
1. Container Recycling Institute, Gitlitz and Franklin, Water, Water Everywhere, The growth of non-carbonated beverages in the United States , February 2007
2. Container Recycling Institute, State Summary, Beverage Sales Market Data Analysis, 2005
3. Recycling in Michigan, An industry that sustains the economy and the environment- Michigan Recycling Coalition
4. 2001 Michigan Recycling Coalition
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Help Add Water Bottles to Michigan's Bottle Law
