Statement from New Yorkers for Real Recycling Reform

ALBANY, NY (02/09/2009)(readMedia)-- Today's press conference calling for expansion of the bottle deposit law to include virtually every product in the beverage aisle of a grocery store is a good example of the half-truths being used to foist this hidden tax on unsuspecting New Yorkers. Following are some examples of the spurious claims being made and the truth behind them:

Claim: Expanding the bottle deposit won't cost anything.

Fact: The proposal in the Governor's budget expands the mandate and removes all of the funding, increasing the cost to New York businesses by hundreds of millions of dollars. That costs will be passed on to average New York families in the form of a cost increase of $.10 per container plus the $.05 deposit.

Claim: Expanding the bottle deposit law will be both good for the environment and generate revenue for New York State.

Fact: Bottles and cans of all beverages amount to less than three percent of the total waste stream and nine percent of litter. So, this proposal ignores more than 97% of the problem. And, because the proposal only generates revenue when people don't recycle, the Governor is betting that most New Yorkers won't redeem these products in order to generate revenues for New York State.

Many States without bottle deposit laws - including neighboring New Jersey - have similar (or even slightly higher) recycling rates than does New York because they have invested more consistently in programs which make recycling easier, more convenient and less costly.

Claim: New Yorkers support expanding the bottle deposit law

Fact: When given a choice between expanding the bottle deposit law and increasing and enhancing curbside and community recycling laws, two-thirds of New Yorkers do not favor expansion of bottle deposits.

Claim: Expanding the bottle deposit law will create jobs.

Fact: Expanding the bottle deposit law will be a job killer in New York State as increasing costs to New York manufacturers, distributors and retailers will likely result in job cutbacks. That's why the Teamsters and several other labor unions are calling on Albany legislators to look elsewhere for revenue enhancements.

Claim: Expanding the bottle deposit law will provide funding for the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).

Fact: Many are already calling on the Governor to find a more stable source of funding for the EPF. In Maine, for example, a similar proposal was reversed after just a few years when it became apparent that fraud and cross border sales were creating a program that ran the risk of actually costing the State of Maine money, rather than generating revenue.

Claim: Businesses support bottle expansion

Fact: The only businesses that support bottle law expansion are the redemption centers which stand to gain from increased handling fees. Most new York businesses, including the Business Council of New York, large and small retailers, convenience store owners, restaurant operators, beer and soft drink manufacturers and distributors oppose bottle law expansion as do many labor unions and other organizations representing average New Yorkers.

New Yorkers deserve better than to have their elected leaders try to trick them into accepting tax increases on their grocery bills which will provide us no economic, environmental or health benefits.

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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.