Deposit on Cleanliness

Litter is a major problem on California’s beaches, roads and parks. The bottle bill, AB 2020, would help keep them clean by requiring a nickel deposit on soda, beer, wine and liquor bottles sold after next June 1.

The deposit would be a 5-cent incentive to encourage consumers to return glass and plastic beverage containers rather than toss the empties and throw away money. It has worked in nine states--including Oregon, New York and Massachusetts.

California’s measure is awaiting consideration by the Assembly. The legislation is unusual because it would not stop at soft-drink and beer bottles but would also cover wine and hard-liquor bottles. A health precaution would prohibit the return of bottles containing any substance other than residue from the original beverage.

The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Burt M. Margolin (D-North Hollywood), would also require refillable bottles, which can be reused up to 10 times. Refilling would reduce the energy spent in making glass because fewer new bottles would be needed. Refillables would also relieve landfills; fewer bottles would be discarded after one use.

The measure has many merits and one flaw. It exempts aluminum cans, another major source of litter, because of industry claims that 60% are recycled. When deposits are required, 90% are returned. AB 2020 should also apply to cans.

A limited bottle law, however, is better than no law. Similar measures have failed repeatedly in the California Legislature. In 1982 voters rejected a mandatory deposit law, Proposition 11. Proponents spent $60,000 to support it; the beverage industry waged a $5-million campaign against it.

The opposition has continued. Distributors argue that an extra nickel per bottle would hurt business. They also complain about the expense of handling returns. In New York beer distributors have reported that uncollected deposits have more than compensated for handling expenses.

California recyclers successfully opposed removing profitable aluminum cans from their province. They pay 20 cents to 30 cents for 24 cans, which weigh a pound. Compare that financial incentive to $1.20 per 24 cans based on the nickel deposit. The recyclers have promised to encourage recycling by making it more convenient. They should promise the 90% recovery rate achieved by deposit laws.

Deposits would eliminate litter by making proper disposal worthwhile. California’s bottle bill deserves passage.