TR-2009-39 RECYCLE BOTTLE BILL _ -xoo 1-:5qc
TR-2009-39 I/N
/1)7
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF UPDATING THE MASSACHUSETTS BOTTLE
BILL
(Sponsored by Councilors Cavallo,Letelfier,Mineo,Messick, Rheault,Rossi,Simpson,and Young)
WHEREAS, the Massachusetts Bottle Bill, enacted in 1982 has allowed the Town of Agawam
residents to enjoy a cleaner environment by creating an incentive for users of certain beverage containers to
recycle those used containers; and
WHEREAS, states with deposit laws have higher residential recycling rates of beverage containers
than those on non-deposit states; and
WHEREAS, litter decrease in states with Bottle Bills averages 70%-85%; and
WHEREAS, through the Massachusetts Bottle Bill, we recycle nearly 80% of containers of deposit
co 'inew I
gta but only 20% on non-deposit containers, and
4EREAS, the Governor of the Commonwealth,.and members of the Massachusetts Senate and
Ho4 o epresentatives have recognized that the original bottle bill does not take into account those
bev' - es4ffich as bottled water, sports drinks, and teas.
&J"-
P"
ts drinks and teas to the Bottle Bill will decrease the
43!�VJRREAS, the addition of bottled water, spor
to tal olun%of municipal solid waste that is needed to be collected, thus saving disposal fees and landfill
spac
NOW.THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we the Agawam City Council commemorate the
27 h anniversary of the implementation of the Massachusetts Bottle Bill.
FURTHERMORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Agawam goes on record in supporting
programs that encourage residents and visitors to return or recycle all beverage containers and other
recyclable materials to fully utilize the currently available recycling programs.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town of Agawam instructs our State Representative and
State Senators and our Governor to support and vote in favor of updating the Massachusetts Container
Beverage Law.
Dated this day ofAW-c�bv- :!009.
PER ORDER OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
M. Letellier, Pr0sident,Agawam City Council
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
Christopher C. J h son, City Solicitor
MAYOFAL ACTION
Received this day of _�UK&ju, 2009 from Town Council Clerk.
Signed by Council President this 44 qk - -day of YQL)R_rV_btA 2009.
APPROVAL OF LEGISLATION
By the powers vested in me pursuant to Article 3, Section 3-6 of the Agaw.4m Charter, as
amended, I hereby approve the passage of the above legislation on this ��j day of
2009.
ALLI/L_ 2,�L-L-fpCO
Susan R. Dawson, Mayor
DISAPPROVAL OF LEGI$LATION
By the powers vested in me pursuant to Article 3, Section 3-6 of the Agawam Charter, as
amended, I hereby veto the passage of the above legislation on this day of
2009 for the following reason(s)-
Susan R. Dawson, Mayor
RETURN OF LEGISLATION TO COUNCIL CLERK
Returned to Council Clerk this 15 YA day of
2009,
Cc) -4t, a_�j
C&AL)
TR-2009- 40
COL 4U&Q.-O-LLAA3aU
02-o14AI-4�'
R soll tion Establishing the School Street Barn Gift Account
Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44 § 53A
For Maintenance and Improvement of the School Street Barn
WHEREAS., the Town of Agawam owns the School Street Barn, a
historic barn structure that it desires to maintain and improve for the
benefit of the citizens of the Town of Agawam;
- WHEREAS, it is expected tnat donations, grants, gifts, and
(ffntributions will be solicited and received to defray the costs of
rftintenance and improvement of the School Street Barn;
17 CL
Ln WHEREAS, all donations, grants, gifts, and contributions shall
be deposited into a single consolid'ated gift account known as the
Slnool Street Gift Account and administered by the Town of Agawam
iriccordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 44 § 53A;
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the Town of Agawam to
establish a single consolidated gift account for the maintenance and
improvement of the School Street Barn; and
NOW THEREFORE, the AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL hereby
establishes a single consolidated oift account known as the School
Street Barn Gift Account in accordance with Massachusetts General
Laws Chapter 44 §53A as follows:
1. Funds from the School Street Barn Gift Account shall be
expended for the sole purpose of maintenance and improvement
of the School Street Barn;
2. The School Street Barn Gift Account shall consist of donations,
grants, gifts, and contributions solicited and received for the
purpose of maintenance and improvement of the School Street
Barn;
3. The Mayor shall be authorized to expend funds from the School
Street Barn Gift Account for the purposes outlined above; and
4. Expenditures from the School Street Barn Gift Account shall not
exceed the balance of the account.
Dated this dayof A 2009.
PER ORDER OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
iW i eteMr,'(fity Council President
A
7M 14'e�
APPROVED AS TO FORM AN LEGALITY
so Sor
jcjj
Christopher ohnson, Solicitor
MAYORAL ACTION
Received this day of 2009 from Town Council Clerk.
Signed by Council President this , day of Youzng-w . 2009.
APPROVAL OF LEGISLATION
By the powers vested in me pursuant to Article 3, Section 3-6 of the Agawam Charter, as
amended, I hereby approve the passage of the above legislation on this day of
-52009.
Susan R. Dawson, Mayor
DISAPPROVAL OE LEGISLATION
By the powers vested in me pursuant to Article 3, Section 3-6 of the Agawam Charter, as
amended, I hereby veto the passage of the above legislation on this day of
2009 for the following reason(s):
Susan R. Dawson, Mayor
REJURN OF LE!QISLAIION TO COUNCIL CLERK
Returned to Council Clerk this S day of�-YO L)Q 9�� , 2009.
Massachusetts General Laws, Part i, Title XV, Chapter
94, Section 321
Beverage Container Law
Chapter 94: Section 321L. Definitions
Section 321. In sections three hundred and twenty-one to three hundred and
twenty-seven, inclusive, the following definitions shall, unless the context clearly
requires otherwise, have the following meaning:
"Beverage", soda water or similar carbonated soft drinks, mineral water, and beer
and other malt beverages, but shall not include alcoholic beverages other than
beer and malt beverages as defined in chapter one hundred and thirty-eight,
dairy products, natural fruit juices or wine.
"Beverage container", any sealable bottle, can, jar, or carton which is primarily
composed of glass, metal, plastic or any combination of those materials and is
produced for the purpose of containing a beverage. This definition shall not
include containers made of biodegradeable material.
"Bottler", any person filling beverage containers for sale to distributors or dealers,
including dealers who bottle or sell their own brand of beverage.
"Consumer", any person who purchases a beverage in a beverage container for
use or consumption with no intent to resell such beverage.
"Dealer", any person, including any operator of a vending machine, who engages
in the sale of beverages in beverage containers to consumers in the
commonwealth.
"Distributor", any person who engages in the sale of beverages in beverage
containers to dealers in the commonwealth including any bottler who engages in
such sales.
"Label", a molded imprint or raised symbol on or near the bottom of a plastic
product.
"Plastic", any material made of polymeric organic compounds and additives that
can be shaped by flow,
"Plastic bottle", a plastic container that has a neck that is smaller than the body of
the container, accepts a screwtype, snap cap or other closure and has a capacity
of sixteen fluid ounces or more, but less than five gallons.
"Rigid plastic container", any formed or molded container, other than a bottle,
intended for single use, composed predominantly of plastic resin and having a
relatively inflexible finite shape or form with a capacity of eight ounces or more
but less than five gallons.
"Reuseable beverage container", any beverage container so constructed and
designed that it is structurally capable of being refilled and resold by a bottler at
least ten times after its initial use.
Chapter 94: Section 322. Refund value; exemption
Section 322. Every beverage container sold or offered for sale in the
commonwealth shall have a refund value of not less than five cents. The
provisions of this section shall not apply to such containers sold by a distributor
for use by a common carrier in the conduct of interstate passenger service.
Chapter 94: Section 323. Return of container; refund;
refusal to accept container
Section 323, (a) Every consumer shall deposit with the dealer the refund value of
each beverage container purchased from that dealer.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (f), a dealer shall accept from any person
during his business hours any empty beverage container of the type, size and
brand sold by the dealer within the past sixty days and shall pay that person the
refund value of each beverage container returned.
(c) Except as provided in paragraph (0, a distributor shall accept from any dealer
any empty beverage container of the type, size and brand sold by the distributor
within the past sixty days and shall pay the dealer the refund value of the
beverage container plus a handling fee of at least one cent per container if the
empty beverage container is presented at the time of and at the location at which
the dealer obtains filled beverage containers from the distributor.
(d) Except as provided in paragraph (0, a bottler shall accept from a distributor or
a dealer any empty reuseable beverage container of the type, size, and brand
sold by the bottler within the past sixty days and shall pay the distributor or dealer
the refund value of the reuseable beverage container plus a handling fee of at
least one cent per container if the empty reuseable beverage container is
presented at the time and at the location where the distributor or dealer obtains
filled reuseable beverage containers from the bottler; provided, however, that a
bottler other than a bottler of soft drinks manufacturing in the commonwealth who
offers to refund deposits in accordance with this section, shall not require a
distributor to deposit with the bottler the refund value of a beverage container
which is not reuseable, nor shall a bottler require of a distributor that beverage
containers which are not reuseable, be presented to the bottler at the location
where the distributor obtains filled beverage containers.
(e) Any person may establish a redemption center and shall have the right to
determine what type, size and brand of beverage container shall be accepted.
Except as provided in paragraph (0, a distributor shall take from any redemption
center any empty beverage container of the type, size and brand sold by the
distributor within the past sixty days and shall pay the redemption center the
refund value of the container plus a handling fee of at least one cent per
container.
(f) A dealer, distributor, redemption center or bottler may refuse to accept any
beverage container which contains material foreign to the normal contents of the
container.
(g) Any bottler or distributor who receives deposits and/or handling charges
under this chapter shall segregate said deposits or handling charges in a fund
which shall be maintained separately from all other revenues, Said bottler or
distributor shall report on a monthly basis to the alcoholic beverage control
commission in a manner prescribed by said commission, the amount of said
deposits or handling charges received and the amount refunded.
(h) Any bottler or distributor who is subject to the provisions of paragraphs (c), (d)
or (e) shall maintain a separate account to be known as the Deposit Transaction
Fund. Said fund shall be kept separate from all other revenues and accounts.
Each bottler or distributor shall place in said fund the refund value for all non-
reusable beverage containers it sells subject to the provisions of this chapter.
Except as specified in section three hundred and twenty-three D� amounts in
such fund may only be expended to pay refund values paid after December
thirty-first, nineteen hundred and eighty-nine for returned non-reusable beverage
containers pursuant to paragraphs (c), (d) and (e). Amounts in such fund shall
not be used to pay the handling fees required by paragraphs (c), (d) and (e).
Each such fund shall be maintained by said bottlers and distributors on behalf of
consumers who have purchased refundable non-reusable beverage containers
and on behalf of the commonwealth; except as specified in section three hundred
and twenty-three C, for no purpose are amounts in such fund to be regarded as
income of said bottlers or distributors.
(i) The obligations to accept or take empty beverage containers and to pay the
refund value and handling fees for such containers as described in paragraphs
(b), (c), (d) and (e) shall apply only to containers originally sold in the
commonwealth as filled beverage containers. Any person who tenders to a
dealer, distributor, redemption center or bottler more than ten cases of twenty-
four empty beverage containers each, which he knows or has reason to know
were not originally sold in the commonwealth as filled beverage containers,.for
the purpose of obtaining a refund value or handling fee, shall be subject to the
enforcement action and civil penalties set forth in section three hundred and
twenty-seven. For the purpose of this section and section three hundred and
twenty-seven, the term person shall include any individual, partnership,
corporation, or other combination or entity.
Chapter 94: Section 323A. Distribution or sale of plastic
bottles or rigid plastic containers; labeling requirements
Section 323A. No person shall distribute, sell or offer for sale any plastic bottle or
rigid plastic container, or any product in such a bottle or container, unless such
product bottle or container is labeled with a code indicating the plastic resin used
to produce the bottle or container. Plastic bottles or rigid plastic containers with
labels and basecups of a different material shall be coded by their basic material.
Such code shall consist of a number placed within a triangle of arrows and letters
placed below the triangle of arrows. The triangle shall be equilateral, formed by
three arrows with the apex of each point of the triangle at the midpoint of each
arrow, rounded with a short radius. The arrowhead of each arrow shall be at the
midpoint of each side of the triangle with a short gap separating the pointer from
the base of the adjacent arrow. The triangle, formed by the three arrows curved
at their midpoints shall depict a clockwise path around the code number. The
numbers and letters used shall be as follows:
(a) I" - PETE (polyethylene terephthalate);
(b) "2" - HDPE (high density polyethylene)�
(c) "Y - V (vinyl);
(d) 'A" - LDPE (low density polyethylene);
(e) "5" - PP (polypropylene)
(0 "6" - PS (polystyrene);
(g) "T' - OTHER (includes multi-layer).
Chapter 94: Section 323B. Reports
Section 323B. Every bottler or distributor shall report to the commissioner of
revenue by the tenth day of each month, concerning transactions affecting its
Deposit Transaction Fund in the preceding month. Such report shall be made in
a form prescribed by said commissioner and shall include the number of non-
reusable beverage containers sold and the number of non-reusable beverage
containers returned in said month, the amount of deposits received in and
payments made from said fund in said month and the most recent three-month
period, any income earned on amounts in the Deposit Transaction Fund during
said preceding month, the balance in said Deposit Transaction Fund at the close
of said preceding month, and such other information as said commissioner may
require in furtherance of his duties pursuant to this chapter.
Chapter 94: Section 323C. Abandoned deposit amounts;
determination
Section 323C. At the end of each month, any amounts that are or should be in a
bottler's or distributor's Deposit Transaction Fund and that are in excess of the
sum of (a) income earned on amounts in said account during that month and (b)
the total amount of refund values received by said bottler or distributor for non-
reusable beverage containers during that month and the two preceding months
shall be deemed to constitute abandoned deposit amounts. Income earned on
said fund may be transferred from said fund for use as funds of the bottler or
distributor.
Chapter 94: Section 323E. Reimbursements to bottlers or
distributors
Section 323E. If in any month the authorized payments from the Deposit
Transaction Fund by a bottler or distributor pursuant to paragraph (h) of section
three hundred and twenty-three exceed the funds that are or should be in its
Deposit Transaction Fund, the commonwealth shall reimburse said bottler or
distributor, from amounts received pursuant to section three hundred and twenty-
three D, for those refunds paid by the bottler or distributor for non-reusable
beverage containers for which the funds that are or should be in its Deposit
Transaction Fund are insufficient; provided, however, that such reimbursements
to a bottler or distributor for a month shall not exceed the excess of (a) amounts
paid by said bottler or distributor to the commonwealth pursuant to said section
three hundred and twenty-three D in the preceding twenty-four months over (b)
amounts paid by the commonwealth to said bottler or distributor pursuant to this
section during said twenty-four months.
Chapter 94: Section 323F. Repealed, 2003, 26, Sec. 296
Chapter 94: Section 324. Holding or connecting devices;
break down by bacteria or light
Section 324. No dealer shall sell or offer for sale in the commonwealth containers
connected to each other by a separate holding device constructed of plastic rings
or any other device or material which cannot be broken down by bacteria and or
by light into constituent parts.
Chapter 94: Section 325. Refund value; statement on
container; vending machines
,Section 325. (a) Every beverage container, except permanently labelled reusable
glass containers, imported into, or offered for sale in the commonwealth by a
bottler, distributor, or dealer shall clearly indicate in at least eight point type, by
embossing or by stamp, or by label, or other method securely affixed to any
portion except the bottom of the beverage container, the refund value of the
container. A permanently labelled reusable glass beverage container first
imported into, or offered for sale in the commonwealth after the effective date of
this act by a bottler, distributor, or dealer shall clearly indicate in at least eight
point type, by embossing or by stamp, or by label, or other method securely
affixed to any portion except the bottom of the permanently labelled reusable
glass beverage container, that the container may be returned for deposit. A
dealer, distributor, redemption center, or bottler, may refuse to accept from any
person any empty beverage container, except a permanently labelled reusable
glass beverage container, which does not state thereon a refund value and may
refuse to accept any permanently labelled reusable glass beverage container
which does not state thereon that the container may be returned for deposit.
(b) Every operator of a vending machine which sells beverages in beverage
containers shall post a conspicuous notice on each vending machine indicating
that a refund of not less than five cents is available on each beverage container
purchased and where and from whom that refund may be obtained. The
provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to require such vending
machine operators to provide refunds at the premises wherein such vending
machines are located.
Chapter 94; Section 327. Enforcement; penalty; interest
Section 327. The attorney general and district attorneys shall enforce the
provisions of sections three hundred and twenty-one to three hundred and
twenty-seven, inclusive. Any bottler, distributor, redemption center or dealer who
violates any provisions of sections three hundred and twenty-one to three
hundred and twenty-six, inclusive, shall be subject to a civil penalty for each
violation of not more than one thousand dollars.
Any bottler or distributor failing to make full and timely payments as required by
section three hundred and twenty-three D shall pay interest on any unpaid
amounts at the rate of one and one-half percent for each month or part thereof
until payment is made in full; provided, however, that any person, including a
bottler, distributor, redemption center or dealer, who violates the provisions of
paragraph (i) of section three hundred and twenty-three shall be subject to a civil
penalty of the greater of one hundred dollars for each container or twenty-five
thousand dollars for each tender of containers.
Updated October 12, 2008
TR-2009-39
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF UPDATING THE MASSACHUSETTS BOTTLE
BILL
(Sponsored by Councilors Cavallo, Letellier, Minco, Messick, Rheault, Rossi, Simpson,and Voung)
WHEREAS, the Massachusetts Bottle Bill, enacted in 1982 has allowed the Town of Agawam
residents to enjoy a cleaner environment by creating an incentive for users of certain beverage containers to
recycle those used containers; and
WHEREAS, states with deposit laws have higher residential recycling rates of beverage containers
than those on non-deposit states, and
WHEREAS, litter decrease in states with Bottle Bills averages 70%-85%; and
WHEREAS, through the Massachusetts Bottle Bill, we recycle nearly 80% of containers of deposit
containers, but only 20% on non-deposit containers; and
WHEREAS, the Governor of the Commonwealth, and members of the Massachusetts Senate and
House of Representatives have recognized that the original bottle bill does not take into account those
beverages such as bottled water, sports drinks, and teas.
WHEREAS, the addition of bottled water, sports drinks and teas to the Bottle Bill will decrease the
total volume of municipal solid waste that is needed to be collected, thus saving disposal fees and landfill
space.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we the Agawam City Council commemorate the
27 h anniversary of the implementation of the Massachusetts Bottle Bill.
FURTHERMORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Agawam goes on record in supporting
programs that encourage residents and visitors to return or recycle all beverage containers and other
recyclable materials to fully utilize the currently available recycling programs.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town of Agawam instructs our State Representative and
State Senators and our Governor to support and vote in favor of updating the Massachusetts Container
Beverage Law.
Dated this day of 2009.
PER ORDER OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Gina M. Letellier, President, Agawam City Council
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
Christopher C.Johnson, City Solicitor
TR-2009-39
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF UPDATING THE MASSACHUSETTS BOTTLE
BILL
(Sponsored by Councilors Cavallo, Letellier,Mineo, Messick, Rheault, Rossi,Simpson,and Young)
WHEREAS, the Massachusetts Bottle Bill, enacted in 1982 has allowed the Town of Agawam
residents to enjoy a cleaner environment by creating an incentive for users of certain beverage containers to
recycle those used containers; and
WHEREAS, states with deposit laws have higher residential recycling rates of beverage containers
than those on non-deposit states; and
WHEREAS, litter decrease in states with Bottle Bills averages 70%-85%; and
WHEREAS, through the Massachusetts Bottle Bill, we recycle nearly 80% of containers of deposit
containers, but only 20% on non-deposit containers; and
WHEREAS, the Governor of the Commonwealth, and members of the Massachusetts Senate and
House of Representatives have recognized that the original bottle bill does not take into account those
beverages such as bottled water, sports drinks, and teas.
WHEREAS, the addition of bottled water, sports drinks and teas to the Bottle Bill will decrease the
total volume of municipal solid waste that is needed to be collected, thus saving disposal fees and landfill
space.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we the Agawam City Council commemorate the
27 h anniversary of the implementation of the Massachusetts Bottle Bill,
FURTHERMORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Agawam goes on record in supporting
programs that encourage residents and visitors to return or recycle all beverage containers and other
recyclable materials to fully utilize the currently available recycling programs.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town of Agawam instructs our State Representative and
State Senators and our Governor to support and vote in favor of updating the Massachusetts Container
Beverage Law.
Dated this day of 2009.
PER ORDER OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Gina M. Letellier, President, Agawam City Council
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
Christopher C. Johnson, City Solicitor
Linda Mercadante
From: bottlebill@massrecycle.org
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 7:31 PM
To: bottlebiII@massrecycle.org
Subject: Help to pass the updated Bottle Bill!
Dear Friend,
Greetings. I am emailing to follow up to a letter MassRecycle sent you early June. Help
MassRecycle ensure that the Legislature updates the State?s ?Bottle Bill.? Updating this
1983 law will reduce litter, increase recycling and provide additional funding for your
local recycling program. MassRecycle, in conjunction with MassDEP, the City of Boston,
MassPIRG, Sierra Club, are rallying behind H3515, which also has 50 co-sponsors. The
bill, ?An Act to Improve Recycling Rates in the Commonwealth? is sponsored by
Representative Alice Wolf. The Joint Committees on Telecommunications, Utilities and
Energy will hold hearings on this bill and related bills in the fall. MassRecycle is
asking the Chief Elected Officials all municipalities to support this bill by signing the
attached resolution at your next .meeting.
We are excited to list the following communities that have signed our resolution!
Town of Abington
Town of Acushnet
Town of Acton
Town of Alford
Town of Arlington
Town of Ashburnham
Town of Ashfield
Town of Ayer
Town of Berkley
City of Beverly
Town of Blandford
City of Boston
Town of Boxborough
Town of Brookfield
Town of Buckland
City of Cambridge
Town of Cohasset
Town of Colrain cap
Town of Concord rn
Town of Dalton
Town of Duxbury
Town of Eastham
City of Easthampton 'K
Town of East Longmeadow
Town of Egremont P
Town of Foxborough
ce
Town of Grafton
Town of Granby
Town of Hanson
Town of Hingham
Town of Holbrook
Town of Huntington
Town of Kingston
Town of Leverett
Town of Lexington
Town of Lunenburg
Town of Middleborough
Town of Middleton
Town of Monterey
Town of New Ashford
"'Town of New Salem
Town of Norwell
Town of Orange
City of Peabody
Town of Pembroke
Town of Peru
Town of Petersham
City of Pittsfield
Town of Plainfield
Town of Plympton
Town of Reading
,City of Salem
Town of Saugus
Town of Scituate
Town of Sheffield
Town of Sherborn
city of Somerville
Town of Stoneham
Town of Sudbury
Town of Tyngsborough
Town of Warren
Town of Washington
Town of Watertown
Town of Wendell
Town of West Newbury
City of Westfield
Town of Westport
Town of Westwood
Town of Whately
Town of Williamstown
Town of Worthington
Town of Wrentham
What steps can you take to support the updated Bottle Bill?
? Cut and paste our below and can be found at
http://www.massrecycle.org/bottlebill/resolution.doc.
? Have your Mayor, City Council or Board of Selectman sign it.
? Send a copy to MassRecycle at the following address:
MassRecycle, Inc.
66 Thoreau Street, #203
Concord, MA 01742,
Phone: (617) 338-0244
Email: info@massrecycle.org
? Mail your resolution to your community's Senator and Representative
? Send out a press release (we suggest this one:
http://www.massrecycle.org/bottlebill/UBB PRtemplate.doc)
? Encourage your residents to call their Senator and Representative in support of the
Updated Bottle Bill. We developed a Pledge Card for you (check out:
http://www.massrecycle.org/bottlebill/resolution.html) .
Please contact us at bottlebill@massrecycle.org with any questions. We look forward to
collaborating with you to pass this important legislation!
Katie Stuart
Bottle Bill Outreach & Organizing Coordinator MassRecycle, Inc.
60 Thoreau Street, #203
Concord, MA 01742
bottlebill@massrecycle.org
www.massrecycle.org
WWW.massrecyclespaper.org
2
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF UPDATING THE MASSACHUSETTS BOTTLE BILL
Whereas The Massachusetts Bottle Bill, enacted in 1982 has allowed (your city/town)
residents to enjoy a cleaner environment by creating an incentive for users of certain
beverage containers to recycle those used containers; and,
Whereas, states with deposit laws have higher residential recycling rates of beverage
containers than those of non-deposit states, and;
Whereas litter decrease in states with Bottle Bills averages 70-85%, and,
Whereas, through the Massachusetts Bottle Bill, we recycle nearly 80% of containers of
deposit containers, but only 20% on non-deposit containers, and
Whereas the Governor of the Commonwealth, and members of the Massachusetts Senate and
House of Representatives have recognized that the original bottle bill does not take into
account those beverages such as bottled water, sports drinks, and teas.
Whereas the addition of bottled water, sports drinks and teas to the Bottle Bill will
decrease the total volume of municipal solid waste that is needed to be collected, thus
saving disposal fees and landfill space.
Be It Resolved
That we, the (members of your city/town's council, board of alderman, etc. or mayor)
commemorate the 27th anniversary of the implementation of the Massachusetts Bottle Bill .
Furthermore, Be It Resolved That: the City/Town of be placed on record
as being in support of the Massachusetts Beverage Container Deposit Law and encourages
it' s strengthening through expanding the list as recommended by the Governor in his
proposed budget and currently being considered by the House and Senate Joint Committee on
Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.
Furthermore, Be It Resolved that the (City/Town) goes on record in supporting programs
that encourage residents and visitors to return or recycle all beverage containers and
other recyclable materials to fully utilize the currently available recycling programs.
Be it Further Resolved that the City instructs our state representatives and state
senators, and our governor to support and vote in favor of updating the Massachusetts
Container Beverage Law.
Mayor/ Chairman, Board of Selectmen Town of Date
3