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Despite what you may have read on this thread, bottle bills do reduce litter on the roads.
I emailed Sen. Doug Berger who introduced a bottle bill earlier this year for NC, and these are my questions and his answers:
1. What is the status of the latest bill?
It remains in the Commerce Committee where it will not be heard until the votes for passage have been secured.
2. What are the chances it will be passed?
Zero for the foreseeable future though the requirement that plastics can't be deposited in landfills have created new allies for passage; i.e. waste industries.
3. Are beverage companies fighting it?
Yes, along with bottle companies, labor unions and about 30 other interest groups.
4. What can WE as citizens do to jumpstart it and get it passed?
Very few Senators will openly commit to passage. Any commitments you can help secure increases the possibilty of passage.
Several months ago when we took our cardboard, newspapers, and aluminum to the recycling center, we asked about plastic bottles. They accepted them, they said, but they didn't pay for them (no scrap value) because didn't have a buyer. They just had a big pile waiting to go somewhere.
After hearing that, the new law keeping the bottles out of landfills surprised me.
Much as I love my home state of NC, (tar heel born, and all that) it is relatively filthy in regard to litter. I spent 7 years in IA. There is absolutely no comparison.
While IA does have a bottle bill, and it is a pain in the butt putting those bottles back in the machines at -40 windchill, I think it is more the education and Midwest Work Ethic that keeps the roads out there so much cleaner than ours.
Wish we could "bottle it", whatever "it" is, but I don't think we can.
Absolutely nothing will change if the people don't make it happen.
A bottle bill is just one part of the puzzle. But it's just going to sit there, with all the special-interest groups pressuring the legislators NOT to make it a law...unless citizens take action and make their voices heard.
Fortunately, we don't have -40 windchill.
Currently, there is no motivation for anyone not to litter. Litter laws are not enforced. $250 is not a big deal even if it is enforced. The fines need to be enforced, law enforcement must enforce the laws, and citizens (especially those from countries where littering is socially acceptable) must be enlightened.
We need a "crying Native American" message. Those of a certain age may remember those very effective anti-litter commercials. These days, the Native American would have a heart attack.
Wouldn't it be fun for someone to have a "Stop Littering in NC" amateur TV commercial contest -- and everyone can post their entries on YouTube. Hmmm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LLN
Much as I love my home state of NC, (tar heel born, and all that) it is relatively filthy in regard to litter. I spent 7 years in IA. There is absolutely no comparison.
While IA does have a bottle bill, and it is a pain in the butt putting those bottles back in the machines at -40 windchill, I think it is more the education and Midwest Work Ethic that keeps the roads out there so much cleaner than ours.
Wish we could "bottle it", whatever "it" is, but I don't think we can.
Hope something will change sooner or later.
lln
Last edited by lovebrentwood; 12-26-2009 at 08:20 PM..
Absolutely nothing will change if the people don't make it happen.
. . .
and citizens (especially those from countries where littering is socially acceptable) must be enlightened.
Much as I love my home state of NC, (tar heel born, and all that) it is relatively filthy in regard to litter. I spent 7 years in IA. There is absolutely no comparison.
While IA does have a bottle bill, and it is a pain in the butt putting those bottles back in the machines at -40 windchill, I think it is more the education and Midwest Work Ethic that keeps the roads out there so much cleaner than ours.
Wish we could "bottle it", whatever "it" is, but I don't think we can.
Hope something will change sooner or later.
lln
Excellent points,I think most folks either,don't notice,don't want to notice,don't care,or litter themselves.I to have been in other states,and this one is pretty bad.When you do travel and see the differance,then there is no ignoring it.The bottle bill works,imo,absolutely pathetic that politics and special interests keep the bill dead.I also think that the south is so resistant to things changing,even for the good,that it further hinders the progress.I'm sure I'll be flamed to death for that one,but that has been my observation.
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