New Poll Shows Most Rhode Islanders Support Bottle Bill

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): A new poll of registered voters in Rhode Island finds that most support the creation of a deposit return system for beverage containers, better known as a bottle bill. The poll was conducted by the Washington, D.C.-based Mellman Group. It was paid for by Save The Bay, the Can Manufacturers Institute, and Clean Water Action.

Among the poll’s findings:

There is widespread concern about litter and waste along the Ocean State’s coastline and in local marine waters (85%), with 65% saying it is of “great concern” to them.

Nearly three-quarters (71%) are concerned that “Rhode Island’s recycling system is not working.” Similarly, 73% are concerned that the Central Landfill in Johnston is nearing capacity.

After hearing arguments from both sides, a healthy majority (58% to 31%) supports a bottle bill.

Most voters said they are likely to return their empty beverage containers. When told where redemption centers would be located, 57% said they were likely to participate — 38% said they were unlikely.

“Rhode Islanders are tired of seeing single-use beverage containers littering our streets and our shoreline,” Jed Thorp, Save The Bay’s director of advocacy, said. “These poll results show that Rhode Islanders support the adoption of a bottle bill and that they’re likely to return their empty containers once a system is in place.”

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantagemag.com