Politics & Government

Lawmakers to Weigh Changes to State's Bottle Bill Law

Environmental groups propose ballot question to expand the 30-year-old law.

By Liz Taurasi

The Boston Globe is reporting that state lawmakers will hold a public hearing on Tuesday on more than a dozen bills aimed at updating the state’s Bottle Bill law, as environmental groups are proposing a ballot question for next year that would expand the 30-year-old law.

The law, which was passed in 1983, needs to be updated according to the Massachusetts Coalition to Update the Bottle Bill. Currently, it only includes a 5-cent deposit on carbonated beverage containers.

According to the coalition’s website, an updated Bottle Bill would expand the state’s container deposit system to include “new age” drinks such as non-carbonated beverages, water, iced tea, juice and sports drinks. The effort is to continue to decrease litter and increase recycling.

The Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy will hold the public hearing at 1 p.m. on Tuesday at the State House.

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