Massachusetts Recyclable Bottle Deposit Expansion (2012)

Not on Ballot
This measure was not put on an election ballot

A Massachusetts Recyclable Bottle Deposit Expansion measure did not make the 2012 ballot in the state of Massachusetts as an indirect initiated state statute. The measure would have expanded the recyclable bottle deposit and redemption law to include bottled water, sports drinks and juices, according to reports.

Opposition

Opponents

• House Speaker Robert DeLeo spoke out against the proposal, stating, "That’s just another form of taxation and as I stated before it’s my feeling of what will happen in the House budget anyways is there’s going to be no discussion about any new taxes, no new fees, anything that looks like a tax will not be in the House budget."
• Polar Beverages, a bottling company based out of Worcester, stated opposition to the initiative. Executive Vice President Christopher Crowley stated that the measure would have made the state recycling system worse than it already was at the time, according to reports.

Arguments

The following were arguments that were made at the time against the measure:

• It would be a burden on consumers who would pay that extra nickel per bottle. A burden would also be placed on retailers who are often charged with collecting the bottles returned by consumers.

• Expanding the law would result in abuse when out-of-state people carrying recyclable bottles into the state in order to receive a deposit.

Path to the ballot

Backers needed to collect 68,911 signatures by the December 7, 2011 petition drive deadline. The measure did not submit signatures by that deadline.

See also

• Massachusetts 2012 ballot measures