Environment

5¢ Deposits Set For Bottled Water

by Barbara Mathieson | October 25, 2009 at 05:14 am

103 views | 26 Recommendations | 7 comments

This is a "tax" that I could support in my own cash strapped state of Tennessee.

By JACK HEALY Published: October 24, 2009

Starting Saturday, the strapped New York State government will be able to start collecting tens of millions of dollars from deposits on bottled water, after a federal judge’s ruling.

On Friday, the judge lifted an injunction that had blocked the state from going forward with a law. Advocates say the new deposits will encourage recycling and provide as much as $115 million to the state.

Distributors would collect the deposits from customers, and the state would receive 80 percent of all unclaimed deposits.

In May, a group of bottled-water companies filed a lawsuit to prevent the deposit law from taking effect, saying it was unconstitutional because it excluded drinks with added sugar.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend Add a comment

Hugh Askew

at 11:35 on October 25th, 2009

Add it to soda pop as well. Worked extremely well in the past when glass bottles ruled.

Then, of course, the deposit worked for the soda pop manufacturers. No reason it won't work now. Most of my spending money as a kid was what i got rounding up stray pop bottles.

a211423

at 11:54 on October 25th, 2009

Taxes on bottled water should be enacted in conjuction with sustainable campaigns for people to use filtering methods of their tap water that eliminate containers. Recycling is always a good option, but reducing the amount of "packaging," especially in water can have a great impact on our environment. Filtering can be done as cheaply as using a Brita purification pitchers, attachments to water faucets, filtering mechanisms for refrigeratorated water. These alternatives are not only better for the envirnoment, but save a lot of money.

Hugh Askew

at 12:41 on October 25th, 2009

Hard to carry water around without a "container".

Try carrying water around in your cupped hands at -12°.

You will only do it once.

a211423

at 13:28 on October 25th, 2009

Reusable containers abound on the market, and are better constructed. We don't need the bottled water industry to supply us with reusable containers.

The_Cynic

at 13:33 on October 25th, 2009

Bottles have a deposit here of 5 to 10 c. If you take the bottle back to be reused you get your deposit back.

Guides, Scouts, even Church's go on bottle drives to help with their finances.

I really can't see where you problem is. If you pay the deposit and don't take the can or bottle to be reused that's your fault. I think we are coming to the real problem, one that you don't want any businesses or people to pay taxes but you want all the benefits from a taxed society.

a211423

at 14:14 on October 25th, 2009

Taxes can be used to curb behaviors. This worked with cigarettes where increased taxing showed a reduction in smoking. If taxing plastic bottles will discourage useage and promote sustainable methods of providing filtered water, then it's a good thing.

The benefits of taxing can go beyond the obvious of increased revenues.

Barbara McPherson

at 18:03 on October 25th, 2009

Now they need to expand it to soft drink containers and beer, wine and spirits. We also have a deposit on 'drinkin boxes'. Milk containers have no deposit but are recyclable. We have had recycling separation at curbside for many years not and it works pretty well. There are environmental taxes on batteries, computers and tires as well. One thing that it does is ensure that these items don't end up thrown in a ditch. Good story. Our communities are working hard in reducing plastic bags. If you forget your re-usable cloth bag at the store, you get plastic, but already it's the norm to bring your own. We can turn things around!