Many thanks to all of you who contacted your state Senators to support the update of the Bottle Bill. Thanks to you calls, emails and letters, this week the state Senate approved an amendment to the Senate budget that updates the Bottle Bill to include non-carbonated beverage containers.
We want to thank all the Senators — including South Shore Senators Joyce, Hedlund and Keenan, Creem– who voted for this important legislation.
Thanks to the below update and action steps from our partner, the Environmental League of Massachusetts.
Next Steps
With approval by the Senate in hand, and with support for the update by a majority of Representatives in the House, we are excited about our prospects. With a majority of Representatives in favor of the Bottle Bill update, approval will largely depend on whether or not House Speaker Robert DeLeo and his leadership team support it.
In the last legislative session, the Senate approved the Bottle Bill update as an amendment to an economic development bill, only to have the amendment killed in a conference committee stacked with Bottle Bill opponents from the House.
What Can You Do?
Amended bottle Bill is very important for the environment, schools could redeem the five cents for the water and juice bottles promoting recycling for all grades. Ball fields, parking lots, streets, rivers, ponds and all water bodies will be cleaner. Society including elementary schools are learning about going green, Senate including all braches of goverment should be in favor and passing the amended bottle bill promoting ‘Keep America Clean” recycle and redeem.
You don’t pass this amended bottle bill then you as a Representative don’t want to keep your town, state or YOUR AMERICA CLEAN.