Statement from New Yorkers for Real Recycling Reform

The Budget Proposal to Expand the Bottle Deposit Law Will Have a Devastating Impact on Consumer Prices and Jobs and Won't Raise Revenues

ALBANY, NY (03/26/2009)(readMedia)-- Reports that Governor Paterson and legislative leaders are considering an expanded version of the bottle bill (to include deposits on bottled water) for inclusion in the state budget, if true, should be troubling to every New Yorker.

Instead of helping consumers, it will raise the price of a case of bottled water more than 70%. A nickel deposit imposed on water will add an extra $1.20 added to the cost of case of water that now sells for $4.99 (24 bottles). An additional ten cent estimated price increase because of the fees imposed on distributors and grocery stores will add another $2.40 to the cost of the case of bottled water. The combined effect of the deposit and handling fee will increase the cost of case of bottled water from $4.99 to $8.59 - a 72 percent increase.

Instead of helping the environment, it will ignore 97% of the waste stream and make recycling less convenient. Bottles and cans of all beverages make up less that 3% of the waste stream and 9% of litter. Asking New Yorkers to take materials out of curbside and community recycling programs to bring back to stores to stand in long lines to redeem their nickels, makes recycling less convenient and, ultimately, less effective.

Instead of generating revenue for New York State, expansion will actually cost us money. In an example of bad public policy, the current proposal will only generate revenue for New York State if people don't recycle. Fraud and cross border sales, coupled with the resulting job loss and sales tax decline, mean this proposal will cost New Yorkers millions of dollars.

In recent days, an increasing number of average New Yorkers - including the NAACP, the National Supermarket Association (representing small urban stores in New York City) and the Teamsters Joint Council 16 - have announced their opposition to this measure. We continue to believe that there are fairer and more effective ways to achieve recycling goals and urge the Governor and lawmakers to reject this proposal.

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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and retailers, who believe that New York should look to comprehensive solutions - Real Recycling Reform - and not an outdated, ineffective and costly idea like bottle law expansion.