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Lawmaker moves to expand state bottle law

4:40 PM, May 30, 2012   |    comments
AP graphic of bottled water
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LANSING, Mich. (WZZM) -- Michigan's bottle deposit law would include all carbonated and non-carbonated beverages -- except milk -- under a bill proposed by a Kalamazoo lawmaker.

State Rep. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo) introduced a bill to expand the bottle law to include water and all other beverages, as long as they are packaged in metal, glass or plastic containers of one gallon or smaller.

Currently in Michigan there is a 95%-98% recycling rate for containers covered by the bottle law, but for non-returnable containers the recycling rate is 20% or less.

"By introducing this legislation, I hope to offer all consumers an opportunity to easily recycle the materials used to package and store beverages," says McCann.  "I want people to know that we all gain in the long-term by taking small steps today."