New Yorkers for Real Recycling Reform Launch Statewide Campaign

Objective is to Educate New Yorkers About the Hidden Costs of Bottle Bill Expansion

ALBANY, NY (03/04/2009)(readMedia)-- New Yorkers for Real Recycling Reform, a broad-based coalition of New York businesses, labor unions and retailers, today launched a statewide campaign designed to raise awareness of the hidden costs of Governor Paterson's proposal to expand the bottle deposit law.

With nearly 100 coalition members in Albany discussing the dangerous and costly proposal with elected officials, the group unveiled a television and radio ad that will begin airing this week in the Capital Region. The spots will also air in the Metropolitan New York area and in other upstate communities.

"When New Yorkers learn about the impact of this proposal - how it will raise the price of every beverage and stifle business growth while having virtually no environmental impact - they get angry," said James Rogers, president and CEO of the Food Industry Alliance of New York State. "We want to make sure that our elected officials hear the voices of their constituents on this matter."

Governor Paterson's proposal to expand the bottle tax to include virtually every product in the beverage aisle while keeping the unclaimed deposits is nothing more than a food tax that will come at the worst possible time for New Yorkers already struggling with increased food costs and other economic hardships. Coupled with his proposal to place a tax on soda and more than double the excise tax on beer (from 11 cents per gallon to 24 cents), this budget stands to be among the most expensive ever for average New Yorkers ... at a time when no one can afford it.

Expanding the bottle tax will result in a price increase of up to 72% for a case of many beverages such as kids' juice drinks, iced teas, sports drinks, bottled water, etc. Coupled with the proposed 18% tax on soda and vastly increased excise tax on beer, food costs will skyrocket as a result of this budget.

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New Yorkers for Real Recycling Reform is a coalition of New York businesses, labor unions and retailers, who believe that New York should look to comprehensive solutions - Real Recycling Reform - and not an outdated, ineffective and costly idea like bottle law expansion.

Note: To view the television ad, please go to YouTube and search for Real Recycling Reform or follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9GneUPSsPg