[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 28, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S745-S746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. JEFFORDS:
  S. 215. A bill to amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require a 
refund value for certain beverage containers, to provide resources for 
State pollution prevention and recycling programs, and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,


    THE NATIONAL BEVERAGE CONTAINER REUSE AND RECYCLING ACT OF 1997

  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I introduce the National Beverage 
Container Reuse and Recycling Act of 1997. This bill is identical to 
legislation that Senator Hatfield and I have introduced in past 
Congresses. I introduce this bill again today because I firmly believe 
that deposit laws are a common sense, proven method to increase 
recycling, save energy, create jobs, and decrease the generation of 
waste and proliferation of overflowing landfills.
  The experience of 10 States, including Vermont, attest to the success 
of a deposit law or bottle bill as it is commonly called. Recycling 
rates of well over 70 percent have been achieved for beverage 
containers in bottle bill States. The rate is over 90 percent in 
Vermont. To put this in perspective, consider this: 30 percent of 
Americans who live in bottle bill States account for over 80 percent of 
beverage container recycling in this country.
  The concept of a national bottle bill is simple: To provide the 
consumer with an incentive to return the container for reuse or 
recycling. Consumers pay a nominal cost per bottle when purchasing a 
beverage and are refunded their money when they bring the bottle back 
either to a retailer or redemption center. Retailers are paid a fee for 
their participation in the program, and any unclaimed deposits are used 
to finance State environmental programs.
  Under my proposal, a 10-cent deposit on beer, water, and soft-drink 
containers would take effect in States which have beverage container 
recovery rates of less than 70 percent, the minimum recovery rate 
achieved by existing bottle bill States. Labels showing the deposit 
value would be affixed to containers, and retailers would receive a 2-
cent fee per container for their participation in the program.
  We are constantly reminded of the growing problem of excess waste as 
we hear news reports of waste washing up on our Nation's beaches, 
pitched battles over the siting of landfills and communities lacking 
adequate waste disposal facilities. Our country's solid waste problems 
are very real, and they will continue to haunt us until we take action. 
The throw-away ethic that has emerged in this country is not 
insurmountable, and recycling is part of the solution.
  Finally, a national bottle bill serves a much greater purpose than 
merely cleaning up littered highways. Recycling creates jobs, saves 
energy, and preserves our Nation's precious natural resources. In fact, 
the demand for recycled glass and aluminum has grown to such a point 
that the Chicago Board of Trade now sells futures in these materials. 
Recycling makes good business sense.
  The legislation I introduce today is consistent with our Nation's 
solid waste management objectives. A national bottle bill would reduce 
solid waste and litter, save natural resources and energy, and create a 
much needed partnership between consumers, industry, and local 
governments. I urge my colleagues to support this important 
legislation.

[[Page S746]]

                                 ______