STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE 2008 TENNESSEE BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING ACT
WHEREAS Tennessee's scenic, cultural and natural resources are part of the common trust, to be equally enjoyed and equally cared for by all; and
WHEREAS these resources are compromised by persistent, deliberate littering and the avoidable wasting of valuable materials; and
WHEREAS a 5-cent, refundable deposit on most beverages in glass, plastic and aluminum containers has been shown to significantly reduce littering and increase recycling, while providing numerous other benefits to communities, schools, manufacturers, local economies and the environment; and
WHEREAS the 3-cent handling fee assessed to beverage distributors allows for the redemptions to be done by independent redemption centers rather than grocery stores and other retailers; and
WHEREAS the recovered scrap is worth close to 3 cents per container, and most of it will be used to make new containers;
NOW THEREFORE we, the undersigned, support the proposed 2008 Tennessee %u201Cbottle bill%u201D sponsored by Sen. Doug Jackson (SB 1408), Rep. Mike Turner (HB 1829) and 13 bipartisan cosponsors.