(Source: MIRS.news, Published 11/15/2024) The latest proposal to ask voters to expand the state's 10-cent bottle bill to include other containers received a thumbs-down from the Michigan Environmental Council, which doesn't like that the proceeds from the measure would be used to expand recycling capacity and not environmental cleanup.  

Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo) rolled out his plan this week to expand the 10-cent deposit to all beverage containers of one gallon or less, including water bottles. Milk, infant formulas and larger fruit and vegetable juice containers would be exempt. The proposal also mandates that all retailers accept any container sold in Michigan, regardless of whether they sold the product or not. 

A $60 million allocation from the Corporate Income Tax (CIT) would fund the expansion efforts, with 85% of the money going to new equipment and technology costs, operations and equipment. The rest of the money would go toward enforcement, marketing and administrative staffing. 

The measure was supported by Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesaler Association President Spencer Nevins, who called McCann's legislation a “vital step to ensure the program remains sustainable.” 

But the Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) called the measure a “corporate giveaway” that would take money away from environmental programs and toward businesses already profiting from the industry. 

“These are the people's dimes, not industry profits,” said MEC President & CEO Conan Smith. “Those lost funds won't improve our Bottle Bill. Recycling won't get easier. Environmental cleanups will get harder.” 

Smith called for the “dimes and dollars” going to improve the consumer experience – more bottle return machines and bulk collection sites. They also want protections for people who rely on bottled water for their basic needs. 

“We can collect more containers and provide more convenience with less litter and less hassle,” Smith said. “We can give the people what they want, and we can do it without a corporate giveaway.”