Statement from New Yorkers for Real Recycling Reform

"The Bottle Law Expansion Proposals in This Budget Puts New York Jobs at Risk and Will Raise Food Prices for Every Family in the State. We Can't Stand for That."

ALBANY, NY (03/30/2009)(readMedia)-- "The budget proposal to expand bottle deposits to bottled water and seize the vast majority of the unclaimed deposits (80%) to provide revenue for the general fund, will result in putting New York jobs at risk and raising the price of trip to the grocery store for every New York family.

New York businesses will be burdened with unprecedented mandates including new state-specific labeling initiatives which will increase cost and decrease choice, new demands on manufacturers and distributors to initiate and pay deposits and increased handling fees and cost increases on retailers as they try to discover a means to handle the increased volume of containers coming to their store.

In the end, jobs will be at stake in every corner of the State as businesses struggle to both handle these complex and onerous regulations and as well as determine the future for the industry in New York.

One thing is certain: dramatic cost increases will be passed on to consumers at the worst possible time.

The members of New Yorkers for Real Recycling Reform urge Legislators to look closely at these provisions and carefully weigh the loss of jobs, livelihoods and income against this transparent money grab by New York State."

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and retailers, who believe that New York should look to comprehensive solutions - Real Recycling Reform - and not an outdated, ineffective and costly idea like bottle law expansion.