Signatures in support of Better Bottle Bill delivered to State House

After canvassing door-to-door across Massachusetts all summer, MASSPIRG staff on Thursday delivered more than 6,000 signatures they collected in support of H 3690/S 2104 — An Act to Update the Bottle Bill. This legislation would update Massachusetts’ landmark law some 40 years after its passage.

The bill, which would expand the types of containers covered by a deposit to include water bottles, sports drinks and more, and increase the deposit from a nickel to a dime, is sponsored by state Rep. Marjorie Decker and state Sen.Cindy Creem. It had a public hearing in June and is awaiting action from the Telecom, Utilities and Energy Committee.

Lauren Winkler, the director of the canvass campaign, explained:

“In cities and suburbs, from the Berkshires to the Cape, people repeatedly told us that they are sick of plastic and beverage container litter. Updating the bottle bill is a logical and straightforward way to address those concerns.”