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Published: 2007-02-20 20:33:00
Updated: 2007-02-20 20:34:14

Bottle Deposit Bill Targets Money-Losing Litter


Legislation Would Establish Can, Bottle Deposit
Legislation Would Establish Can, Bottle Deposit
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A state senator on Tuesday introduced legislation to impose 10-cent deposits on the bottles and cans that now are tossed away as valueless and make up 60 percent of the trash along North Carolina highways.

It’s an effort, he said, to help turn an expense into a commodity with commercial value.

The state spends nearly $16 million on roadside clean-up. Sen. Doug Berger, D-Franklin County, thinks the deposit system would be a partial solution to that budget drain.

“Cans, bottles, plastics—instead of ending up on the roadside, they end up in the stream of commerce because it's profitable to pick-up those bottles,” Berger said. The deposits would be collected at designated redemption centers.

A manager from a local vending-machine company told WRAL he would anticipates a short-term decline in sales if the bill were to pass.

Berger said drink manufacturers already have contacted him, and he’s expecting an uphill battle in the Legislature.
  • Reporter: Holly Harris
  • Photographer: Edward Wilson
  • Web Editor: Ron Gallagher

67 Comments


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I am in favor of a deposit on beverage containers. Imagine all those bottles and cans on the road as being nickels and dimes. I don’t think they would stay there long. If folks continued to pitch them out, it would cost them.

It would also be an incentive to recycle, which would help save our landfills. Do you want a landfill near you? Recycling saves natural resources as well as landfill space. If folks don't want to recycle, it's going to cost them.

Bottle deposits have made a difference in other states and I believe it would make a difference in North Carolina. It sure would make picking up litter easier for me if I didn't have to pick up bottles and cans especially glass bottles which are really heavy.

Litter comes from several different sources. There is no one solution. We have to look at all the sources. Each source needs to be tackled separately.

You know, of course, that it costs the state and/or private business more than the .10 cent deposit to manage this new government interference. So, while it seems it's a win-win, the taxpayer will still pay more for this program than it is designed to save in litter pick-up. Enforcing our current litter laws and bringing some SHAME on offenders will do more than government (mis)handling of our money.

Yes, litter may be reduced, but by how much and at what actual cost? Think about it.

geipa- if this bill is passed the only money your going to get is your deposit back that you already paid. There will still be tons of trash on the side of the road it just won't be bottles or cans for deposit. Meanwhile someone else will be profiting from your hard work of storing and cleaning cans and bottles for them. This bill is USELESS!

It is a great idea. BUT - I heard there would be limited collection sites. I know of serveral states that you just take the items back the store and they return the deposit. It has been working that way for several years without problems. It is an option that needs to be looked at. Limiting collection sites would not solve the problem.

The deposit on each can bottle etc works for the State of wa, you bet I will be out there picking up dimes if this bill is passed ,, Lets vote on it??? ok I have had my say

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