Great news from New York on the expansion of their Bottle Deposit Law.  
FYI.

Begin forwarded message:
> On Apr 6, 2009, at 7:51 AM, Paula Carrell wrote:
>>
>> The chapter has been very focused on this bill -- making solid use  
>> of their
>> activist alert system & newsletter to generate support from across  
>> NY.
>>
>> Great news from the Atlantic Chapter:
>>
>> More than 700 nonprofit groups, small businesses, and local  
>> governments
>> have called for updating the Bottle Law since the campaign was  
>> launched in
>> 2000.  Tens of thousands of citizens have called, written letters,  
>> sent
>> e-mails, signed petitions, and met with their state legislators  
>> urging
>> their support.  Three independent polls have shown that more than  
>> 80% of
>> registered voters in New York support expanding the Bottle Law and
>> recapturing the unclaimed deposits.   But for years the legislation  
>> stalled
>> in Albany due to powerful special interest lobbyists from the  
>> beverage and
>> retail industry.  Opponents of the bottle bill expansion gave more  
>> than $2
>> million in campaign contributions to state legislators over the  
>> past two
>> years.
>> Here's the final release that went out
>>
>> Adirondack Council • Adirondack Mountain Club • American Farmland  
>> Trust •
>> American Littoral Society • Audubon New York • Citizens Bottle and  
>> Can
>> Redemption Association • Citizens Campaign for the Environment •  
>> Container
>> Recycling Institute • Empire State Beer Distributors Association •
>> Environmental Advocates of New York • Group for the East End • Hudson
>> River Sloop Clearwater • Jamesville Positive Action Committee •  
>> Land Trust
>> Alliance • League of Women Voters of New York State • Long Island  
>> Drinking
>> Water Coalition • Long Island Environmental Voters Forum • Long  
>> Island
>> Pine Barrens Society • Natural Resources Defense Council • New York  
>> Farm
>> Bureau • New York League of Conservation Voters • New York Public  
>> Interest
>> Research Group • New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and
>> Recycling • North Shore Land Alliance • Parks and Trails New York •
>> Promesa Systems •  People’s Environmental Network of New York •  
>> Scenic
>> Hudson •Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter • Surfrider Foundation • The  
>> Nature
>> Conservancy
>>
>>
>> NEWS RELEASE
>>
>> For Immediate Release
>> For Information Contact:
>>
>> April 3rd, 2009
>> Laura Haight (NYPIRG) 518-588-5481
>> Erica Ringewald (EA) 518-210-9903
>>
>>            GROUPS CHEER PASSAGE OF BIGGER BETTER BOTTLE BILL
>>
>>   Update of State’s Bottle Recycling Law Hailed as Major  
>> Environmental
>>                                 Victory
>>
>>    (Albany, NY)  Groups from across the state applauded passage of  
>> the
>> Bigger Better Bottle Bill today as part of the 2009-10 state  
>> budget.  This
>> momentous achievement is the first major overhaul of the state’s  
>> bottle
>> deposit law since it was created in 1982, and caps a grueling nine- 
>> year
>>  campaign to expand and update the law.  The update expands New  
>> York’s
>>   bottle return law to include water bottles, which comprise nearly a
>> quarter of all beverages sold in New York.  The law also requires  
>> beverage
>> companies to return 80% of the unclaimed bottle and can deposits to  
>> the
>> state, generating upwards of $115 million annually for the General  
>> Fund.
>>
>> “This is a huge victory not only for the environment, but for the  
>> people
>> of New York,” said Laura Haight, senior environmental associate with
>> NYPIRG.  “As a result of this law, we will have noticeably cleaner
>> communities and far more recycling.  At the same time, the money  
>> from the
>> public’s unclaimed nickels will go to work for us, not for Coke and
>> Pepsi.”
>>
>> The groups praised Governor David Paterson for his leadership,  
>> fulfilling
>> a promise he made to environmental groups at Earth Day Lobby Day last
>> year; Speaker Sheldon Silver, Assemblyman Bob Sweeney and members  
>> of the
>> Assembly for their steadfast support, having passed the bill every  
>> year
>> since 2005; and Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, Senator Antoine  
>> Thompson
>> and members of the Senate majority, without whose commitment the  
>> budget
>> agreement would not have happened.  The groups also acknowledged the
>> efforts of former Assemblyman Thomas DiNapoli and Senator Kenneth  
>> LaValle,
>> who introduced previous versions of the bill, and noted bipartisan  
>> support
>> for the expansion that is not reflected in today’s budget vote.
>>
>> “Since the bottle bill was enacted nearly 30 years ago, the beverage
>> industry has grown to include water drinks that have proliferated not
>> simply on store shelves, but along the sides of our roads,  
>> wetlands, open
>> spaces, and beaches,” said Bob Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst), Chair of the
>> Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee. “This budget will  
>> encourage
>> recycling and help to clean our environment by updating New York’s  
>> most
>> successful recycling law to better represent today’s consumers."
>>
>> “The Bigger Better Bottle Bill is an issue close to my heart for good
>> reason,” said Senator Antoine Thompson (D-parts of Erie & Niagara
>> Counties), Chair of the Senate's Environmental Conservation  
>> Committee.
>> “The recycling of water bottles will significantly reduce litter
>> throughout our communities and its accumulation in landfills.  We are
>> committed to creating green jobs for New Yorkers across the state  
>> that
>> will both protect the environment and revitalize our economy; and  
>> passage
>> of this legislation will bring us a step closer to that realization.”
>>
>> HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NEW LAW
>>
>> The expansion, which goes into effect on June 1st, will require a  
>> deposit
>> on all water bottles sold in New York.   According to the Container
>> Recycling Institute, more than 3.2 billion water bottles were sold  
>> in New
>> York State alone – nearly a quarter of the state’s total beverage  
>> sales.
>> Bottled water represents 70% of the total noncarbonated beverage  
>> sales in
>> New York which previous versions of the bill sought to capture.   
>> Water
>> bottles are one of the most common items found in litter cleanups  
>> in New
>> York.   Without a deposit, most of these containers end up in the  
>> trash or
>> polluting our communities.   Oregon and Connecticut have also  
>> recently
>> expanded their deposit laws to include bottled water.
>>
>> The law requires beverage companies to return 80% of the unclaimed
>> deposits to the state General Fund, raising an estimated $115  
>> million next
>> year.   Since 1982, beer and soda companies have retained more than  
>> $2
>> billion in unclaimed deposits.  This legislation brings New York  
>> into line
>> with other states, such as Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Hawaii,  
>> and
>> most recently Connecticut, which already escheat unclaimed beverage
>> container deposits.
>>
>> The law also includes a number of measures that will improve
>> opportunities for New Yorkers to return their empty bottles and cans,
>> including incentives for small business and nonprofit redemption  
>> centers
>> and requirements for large stores to maintain dedicated areas for  
>> bottle
>> and can returns.  These provisions, plus the expansion and an  
>> increased
>> handling fee, will lead to the creation of thousands of new jobs  
>> across
>> the state.
>>
>> QUOTES FROM GROUPS
>>
>> "Updating New York's bottle deposit law has been one of the  
>> environmental
>> community's top priorities since it was introduced," said Robert  
>> Moore,
>> Executive Director of Environmental Advocates of New York. "The New  
>> York
>> State Legislature and Governor Paterson are to be commended for their
>> leadership in getting the Bigger Better Bottle Bill passed and  
>> improving
>> on our most successful recycling program."
>>
>> “The Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter applauds the Governor and  
>> Legislature
>> for the historic expansion of the bottle recycling program,” said  
>> Susan
>> Lawrence, Chapter Chair. “This action will protect our roads,  
>> beaches, and
>> parks from water bottle litter, and helps municipalities save money  
>> from
>> landfill expansions. Recycling these bottles will especially  
>> contribute to
>> reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. We extend  
>> our
>> heartfelt thanks to the Governor and Legislature for this important
>> victory.”
>>
>> “Finally, we can say ‘Good Bye’ to the multitude of bottles  
>> polluting our
>> parks, highways, beaches and communities.  We won't miss them. We  
>> applaud
>> the leadership of the Legislature and the Governor for getting the  
>> job
>> done,” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director for Citizens  
>> Campaign
>> for the Environment.
>>
>> “We are greatly appreciative of the leadership displayed by the  
>> Governor
>> and Legislature by approving an expanded bottle bill to help clean  
>> up our
>> farm fields and expand recycling efforts," said Dean Norton,  
>> President of
>> New York Farm Bureau.  "Farmers are prime stewards of our land and
>> extending the bottle return statute to water bottles is a big win for
>> environmental protection in New York State.”
>>
>> “The passage of the bottle bill update is a victory that will  
>> create more
>> green jobs across the state, reward the beverage retailer who  
>> embraces the
>> most effective method if recycling and leave our planet a better  
>> place for
>> future generations,” said Pete Sobol, legislative liaison for  
>> Empire State
>> Beer Distributors Association.  “We thank the Governor and all the
>> legislators in Albany who made this happen.”
>>
>> "Inclusion of the bottle bill in the budget means that our volunteers
>> will find significantly less water bottles on New York's beaches,"  
>> said
>> Barbara Toborg of the American Littoral Society.
>>
>> “The League of Women Voters of New York State joins our coalition
>> partners in applauding  Governor Paterson, Majority Leader Malcolm  
>> Smith
>> and Speaker Sheldon Silver for expanding beverage recycling to  
>> include
>> water bottles,” said Barbara Bartoletti, Legislative Director.  
>> “This will
>> remove water bottles from the waste stream and return nickels  
>> deposits for
>> much needed state revenue.”
>>
>> "CRI is thrilled at this important victory in New York,” said  
>> Elizabeth
>> McLaughlin, executive director of the Container Recycling Institute.
>> “Coming on the heels of Connecticut's decision to include water  
>> bottles,
>> and Oregon's implementation of the same update, New York's decision  
>> will
>> likely mean all bottle bill states will follow, since New York is  
>> such a
>> big market.  We congratulate the many, many supporters who worked
>> tirelessly for this nationally significant win."
>>
>> "The passage of the BBBB gives redemption centers across the state an
>> opportunity to create hundreds of new jobs as existing redemption  
>> centers
>> expand and new centers open,” said Sheila Rivers, of the Bottle and  
>> Can
>> Redemption Association (BACRA).  “We thank our lawmakers for their
>> achievement in passing this important legislation.  The increase in  
>> the
>> handling fee enables us to create a viable business model allowing  
>> us to
>> provide for our families and our employees. The addition of water  
>> bottles
>> into the deposit system offers us a growth opportunity as well as
>> increasing fundraising opportunities for many worthy organizations.”
>>
>>  “The Nature Conservancy thanks Legislators and the Governor working
>> together to pass an expanded Bottle Bill, which will generate more  
>> than
>> $100 million in revenue for the state while enhancing the  
>> environment,"
>> said Kathy Moser, Deputy State Director for Conservation for The  
>> Nature
>> Conservancy in New York. "We are especially thankful to Assemblyman  
>> Robert
>> Sweeney and Senator Antoine Thompson for their leadership in  
>> seizing this
>> opportunity to increase environmental protections in our New York."
>>
>> “The restorations to the Environmental Protection Fund and passage  
>> of the
>> Bigger Better Bottle Bill are big successes for New York’s  
>> environment,”
>> said Marcia Bystryn, president of the New York League of Conservation
>> Voters. "We applaud Gov. David Paterson, Speaker Sheldon Silver,  
>> Majority
>> Leader Malcolm Smith, Assemblyman Robert Sweeney and Senator Antoine
>> Thompson for their leadership and the importance they place on
>> environmental progress, even in these difficult economic times."
>>
>> "The expanded bottle bill legislation provides a critical addition  
>> to New
>> York's recycling laws as well as a needed economic asset for the  
>> state
>> budget," said Richard Schrader, the New York Legislative Director  
>> for the
>> Natural Resources Defense Council.
>>
>> Andy Bicking, Director of Public Policy for Scenic Hudson stated,  
>> “The
>> expansion of the bottle bill is a victory for all New Yorkers.  It  
>> will
>> reduce litter in our public parks and on our waterfronts, helping  
>> them to
>> stay safe and attractive destinations that attract appropriate  
>> economic
>> development.  Governor Paterson, Majority Leader Smith and Speaker  
>> Silver
>> deserve a hearty round of congratulations from the Hudson Valley's
>> environmental community.”
>>
>> "The Governor and the Legislature see the importance of this expanded
>> bottle bill, both as an anti-litter and recycling initiative and as  
>> an
>> important source of revenue at a time when it is so urgently needed,”
>> noted Manna Jo Greene of the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater.
>>
>> “The Surfrider Foundation looks forward to cleaner beaches as a  
>> result of
>> the improved bottle bill in NY.  Thank you to the legislators who
>> championed this cause and the ones who compromised to allow this,”  
>> said
>> Steff Zellinger, volunteer with the New York City Chapter of the  
>> Surfrider
>> Foundation.
>>
>> “We are here today because of the leadership demonstrated by all  
>> three
>> leaders and their commitment to the small business community.  We  
>> applaud
>> you and look forward to continuing our work to ensure that small  
>> business
>> has a seat at the table,” said Carlos Nazario,  President and  
>> Chairman of
>> Promesa.
>>
>> “The North Shore Land Alliance would like to thank all of our elected
>> officials who voted to expand  the Bigger Better Bottle Bill,” said
>> President Lisa W. Ott.  “As stewards of our local lands we are
>> particularly grateful for legislation that will result in cleaner
>> waterways and reduce litter in our parks and preserves while  
>> bringing new
>> revenue to the State. Bravo!”
>>
>> “Expanding the Bottle Bill has always made good economic and
>> environmental sense, and we are thrilled that the legislature has  
>> finally
>> agreed with us,” said Albert E. Caccese, Executive Director of  
>> Audubon New
>> York. “Audubon New York applauds the Legislature, especially  
>> Assemblyman
>> Robert Sweeney and Senator Antoine Thompson, for developing this  
>> important
>> compromise on the Bigger, Better Bottle Bill, and for protecting the
>> integrity of the EPF.”
>>
>> "In challenging economic times, New York State's commitment to
>> modernizing the Bottle Bill is smart and commendable.  Land Trust  
>> Alliance
>> and the communities served by New York's 90 land trusts applaud  
>> Governor
>> Paterson and the Legislature for this historic achievement, which  
>> will
>> help create jobs, protect our natural heritage, conserve resources,  
>> and
>> generate much needed revenue for the State of New York," said Land  
>> Trust
>> Alliance’s New York Conservation Manager, Ethan Winter.
>>
>> “Our thanks go out to the Legislature and Governor for pushing  
>> through
>> the expansion of the Bottle Bill,” said David Haight, New York  
>> Director
>> for the American Farmland Trust.  “Farmers have long supported the  
>> Bottle
>> Bill and its expansion as a way to keep litter out of farm fields and
>> support a healthy environment in New York.”
>>
>>  “The long-awaited expansion of New York’s bottle bill will mean less
>> litter in our state and local parks, in our waterways and along our
>> highways, and it will provide significant revenue for the state,”  
>> said Tim
>> Sweeney of Parks & Trails New York.  “Governor Paterson and the
>> Legislature should be commended for putting New York’s environment  
>> first.”
>>
>> More than 700 nonprofit groups, small businesses, and local  
>> governments
>> have called for updating the Bottle Law since the campaign was  
>> launched in
>> 2000.  Tens of thousands of citizens have called, written letters,  
>> sent
>> e-mails, signed petitions, and met with their state legislators  
>> urging
>> their support.  Three independent polls have shown that more than  
>> 80% of
>> registered voters in New York support expanding the Bottle Law and
>> recapturing the unclaimed deposits.   But for years the legislation
>> stalled in Albany due to powerful special interest lobbyists from the
>> beverage and retail industry.  Opponents of the bottle bill  
>> expansion gave
>> more than $2 million in campaign contributions to state legislators  
>> over
>> the past two years.
>>
>> ###

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