Buff State Students Make Major Coup With Bottle Bill

Students from the Buffalo State College chapter of the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) got a different kind of Halloween treat this year - one that benefits the environment as well as communities across New York.  The long anticipated expansion of our nickel deposit system for beverage containers finally took effect. As of 12AM on Halloween, bottled water is covered under our states most successful recycling and litter-prevention program, the Bottle Bill.

"The Bottle Bill is New York's most effective recycling law, and one of NYPIRG's most important environmental victories," said Justina Potenzo.  "We are proud to be part of the generation of students who worked to expand and improve the law. 

The Bottle Bill requires a 5-cent refundable deposit on beer and soda containers.  Starting October 31st 2009, it expanded to include water bottles, which account for more than 3.2 billion containers sold each year in New York, nearly a quarter of total beverages sales.  The new law, passed as part of the state budget back in April, also requires beverage companies to return 80 percent of unclaimed bottle and can deposits to the state, which will generate an estimated $115 million annually to benefit the public.  Until now, the beer and soda companies have kept the unclaimed deposits.

The expansion to bottled water was originally scheduled to occur June 1st of this year, but has been delayed for months due to a lawsuit filed by the beverage companies. However, a court order issued last Friday lifted the injunction as of October 31st, so that water bottles can now be targeted for recycling, rather than becoming litter or adding to the waste stream.

"For years, this positive environmental measure was blocked by powerful special interests with deep pockets- first in the legislature, then in the court system," according to Melissa Ginn.  "It will be a truly influence people on making better recycling choices"

"College students care about our planet and having a clean and healthy environment," said Erin Doyle. "Adding a nickel deposit to water bottles will mean that a lot more will get recycled, and a lot fewer will end up in our landfills or polluting our beaches and parks."

"The original bottle bill has done a great deal for the health of our communities and the environment," Justina Potenzo said. "But times have changed, and this expansion will ensure that we make our best recycling program in New York even better."

NYPIRG has a long history advocating for the Bottle Bill and other recycling measures.  In 1982, students from across the state marched to Albany to call for passage of the original Bottle Bill.  Since that time, the law has proven to be a tremendous success, boasting an average redemption rate of over 70%, as well as reducing litter volume by 30%. 

NYPIRG has spearheaded the campaign for a Bigger Better Bottle Bill since 2002.  More than 700 nonprofit groups, small businesses, and local governments have called for updating the Bottle Law, and polls show that more than 80% of New Yorkers support it.

Over the past 7 years, students from the Buffalo State College NYPIRG chapter have educated students and community members about the issue, written letters, generated phone calls, conducted litter surveys, held news conferences, and traveled to Albany to meet with state legislators about the need to update the Bottle Bill. 

Opponents of the proposed "Bigger Better Bottle Bill," including Coke, Pepsi, the Beer Wholesalers Association and the Food Industry Alliance reported giving over $2 million in campaign contributions to state legislators in 2007 and 2008, and ran an ad campaign against the measure.