Meessage in a Bottle

Message in a Bottle:

The Benefits of Expanding Container Deposit Laws Across America

Shida R. Weisman

SCI280-Environmental Science & Lab-01

February 23, 2014

Introduction

Since the transition from the Agricultural to the Industrial Age, waste production has increased markedly. Municipal landfills are overflowing and a major component is non-refillable container for soda, beer and non-carbonated drinks. A solution for decreasing the number of bottles that end up in landfills is the adaption of nationwide laws that mandate not only the recycling and but the reuse and repurposing of these non-refillable bottles. With the recent push by socially conscious Americans who are determined to decrease their carbon footprint, education and activism are needed to publicize the impact of failing to listen to the message that our throw-a-way society is proclaiming. This paper will examine the history and purpose of Container Deposit Laws (CDLs) along with the benefit of their expansion which includes a potential economic increase and positive environmental impacts.

Waste Management, Then and Now

Since Industrialization, how to manage, collect and destroy waste has been a concern for cities all across America. Due to an ever increasing amount of traditional household refuse and chemically laden products, municipal waste management systems have had to be developed to provide sanitary living conditions and reduce disease and pests and protect public safety. Adding to the customary volumes of waste these departments handled, in the 1960’s beverages like soda and beer transitioned from refillable containers to one-way discardable container. This increased not only litter but the average amount of waste produced per capita. (stats)

Until this time, Americans purchased beverages that were contained in glass, refillable bottles. The bottles were returned for deposits and had a “lifespan of 4 years; being reused some 10-20 times”. To combat waste and...