Beverage Can Deposit LawRESOLUTION NO. 29-01
A RESOLUTION SUPI~ORTING THE EXPANSION OF THE IOWA BEVERAGE
CONTAINER DEPO,~/T LAW.
Whereas, the Beverage Container Deposit Law provides a financial incentive
through the refuadable deposit that has all but eliminated can and bottle litter Iowa;
and
Whereas, the Beverage Container Deposit Law funds itself through the nickel
deposit and refund, and relies on no taxes or unfunded mandates to local
governments; and
Whereas, through the Beverage Container Deposit Law, Iowans recycle more
than 90% of containers compared to only 30% in states without such laws; and
Whereas, 55% of all beer and soda containers recovered in the United States
are from the ten deposit states, while the remaining 45% come from the forty non-
deposit states; and
Whereas, states with deposit laws also have a higher participation rate in
residential recycling than do non-deposit states; and
Whereas, an independent survey by the University of Northern Iowa shows
that 85% of Iowans support the deposit law, and 73% support expanding that law;
and
Whereas the Beverage Container Deposit Law has resulted in more than one
hundred and forty redemption centers in Iowa, providing jobs and wages in the
private sector, and has created jobs and supported employment for businesses that
employ persons with disabilities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA SUPPORTS THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER DEPOSIT LAW
AND ENCOURAGES ITS EXPANSION TO INCLUDE:
Section 1. Creation of the Robert D. Ray Beautiful Land Fund to support
local and state litter and recycling initiatives.
Section 2. The addition of deposits on containers of tea, water, fruit and
vegetable drinks, sports drinks, and other non-carbonated beverages, excluding
milk.
Section 3. Increasing the handling fee per container from one cent to two
cents.
Section 4. Requiring all beverage containers sold in Iowa to have a minimum
post-consumer recycled content of 25% by weight.
Section 5. Be it further resolved that the City Council encourages all
residents to return or recycle all beverage containers and other recyclable materials
and to fully utilize the City's curbside recycling program.
Passed, approved and adopted this 5th day of February , 2001.
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Attest:
'Jeanne Schneider
City Clerk
HL
January 16, 2001
The Honorable Mayor Terrance M. Duggan &
City Council Members
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Dr. Mr. Mayor and City Council Members:
The Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission recommends support of the continuation
and expansion of the Iowa Beverage Container Deposit Law, also known as the Bottle Bill. The
Bottle Bill has effectively reduced litter and increased recycling in Iowa. This measure enjoys
wide support among Iowans with over 85% supporting the Bottle Bill and well over 70% of
Iowans in favor of expanding the bottle Bill. Expanding the Iowa Beverage Container Deposit
Law encompasses the following measures:
· Creation of the Robert D. Ray Beautiful Land Fund
· Expand the Container Redemption Law
· Increase the handling fee
· Require ail beverage containers sold in Iowa have a minimum recycled content of 25%
by weight.
The resolution drafted by the Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission demonstrates
om' desire to continue the efforts by the State of Iowa to control litter and increase recycling.
Expansion of the bill would be a great step in helping Iowans to actively preserve a clean
environment now and for future generations. The commission supports of all four measures as a
way to effectively implement the recycling of beverage containers in the State of Iowa.
Recommendation
The Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission recommends that the City Council
approve the attached resolution affirming your support for continuation and expansion of the
Iowa Beverage Container Deposit Law. This will send a strong message to the Iowa State
Legislature that the citizens of Dubuque are in support of this recycling effort and that we value
our ~mmral heritage and want to preserve our beautiful land.
Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
January 24, 2001
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, Ci, t¥/fl~anager
FROM: Mary Rose Corrigan,'RN, Public Health Specialist
Paul Schultz~,~id Waste Management Supervisor
SUBJECT: Expansion of the Bottle Bill
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum provides a staff recommendation to the Environmental
Stewardship Advisory Commissions Bottle Bill resolution.
BACKGROUND
The Beverage Container Redemption Legislation was signed into law in 1978 by
Governor Robert D. Ray. The bill was designed to help reduce litter throughout the
state. The five-cent deposit covers approximately 1.4 billion containers sold
annually in Iowa. Since the introduction of this law, the Iowa Department of
Transportation has reported a 79% reduction in bottle and can litter along
roadways. Iowans now recycle more than 90% of containers compared with only
30% recycling rates in states without such legislation.
DISCUSSION
Expanding the current law would lead to the creation of the Robert D. Ray Beautiful
Land Fund. This fund would be created by monies resulting from unredeemed
deposits, and estimated $6-7 million annually. The fund would support local and
state litter and recycling initiatives. This money would therefore represent an
investment in Iowa's environment. As state budgets get tight, this fund would help
support popular environmental programs, recognize and support creative local
efforts, yet require no tax dollars.
Several types of beverage containers are not covered under the current law,
including bottles and cans for tea, water, fruit juice, vegetable juice, sports drinks
and other non-carbonated beverages. These sources represent approximately 200
million containers annually in Iowa. Expansion of the Iowa Beverage Container
Deposit Law would include these types of containers. Such a change would further
reduce litter on our roadways, eliminate the confusion among consumers, and
provide more equitable, full cost pricing between products.
The handling fee that retailers receive has not changed since the inception of the
beverage container law. The expansion provides for an increase of the handling fee
for the retailers that redeem containers from one cent to two cents. This handling
fee is a just and equitable modification for retailers and other redemption centers
involved in this important recycling process.
The updated Bottle Bill supports the requirement that all beverage containers sold in
Iowa have a minimum post-consumer recycled content of 25% by weight. Such a
measure ensures that recycling efforts by the citizens of Iowa is met with
continued technological advances in the industry to use recycled material in the
production of beverage containers.
The Iowa Beverage Container Deposit Law has resulted in more than 140
redemption centers in Iowa providing jobs and wages in the private sector.
Additionally, the beverage container law has created jobs and supported
employment in Dubuque for twenty-one persons with disabilities through Area
Residential Care.
Recent surveys indicate that the beverage deposit law is very successful with 85%
of Iowans in support of the redemption policy and 73% in support of the expansion
measures described above. More than 50,000 Iowans have signed a petition in
support of the expansion. Expansion of the Iowa Beverage Container Deposit Law
has also been supported by the Governor's Environmental Enterprise Team, the
State Agency of Directors and The Governor's Environmental Issues Team.
Further, the Iowa Recycling Association and the Iowa Society of Solid Waste
Operations suggest that expansion of the redemption law will help recycling efforts
statewide.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve the attached Resolution affirming
support for continuation and expansion of the Iowa Beverage Container Deposit
Law. This will send a strong message to the Iowa State Legislature that the
citizens of Dubuque are in support of this recycling effort and that we value our
natural heritage and want to preserve our beautiful land. It is further recommended
that the Council communicate this resolution to the Iowa Legislature and the
State's Environmental Protection Commission.
COUNCIL ACTION
Adopt the attached resolution and communicate it to the Iowa Legislature and its
appropriate committee(s).
MRC/cj