Rhode Island Small Businesses Rally Against Bottle Tax

News Summary

A coalition of small business owners in Rhode Island is opposing proposed legislation that would introduce a 10-cent tax on bottle sales. Scheduled for Tuesday at la Esquinita Market, the rally is aimed at highlighting the negative impact on local businesses and consumers. While state officials advocate for the tax as a means to promote recycling and reduce litter, critics express concern over its practicality and potential burden, particularly on lower-income individuals. The debate continues as public opinion remains divided on waste management strategies.

Providence – A coalition of small business owners in Rhode Island is rallying against proposed legislation that would impose a 10-cent tax on all bottle sales. The rally is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday at la Esquinita Market in Providence. The business owners, joined by the Rhode Island Liquor Operators Collaborative, argue that this new tax would increase costs for local businesses and negatively impact consumers.

State officials, however, defend the proposed bottle tax as an essential measure to address litter and waste issues. According to proponents, the tax would return the deposit to consumers at designated redemption sites, thus encouraging bottle recycling and reducing the burden of litter management.

Priscilla De La Cruz, sustainability director for Providence, emphasized the fiscal benefits of a bottle redemption program. She noted that contaminated recycling loads, resulting from improper disposal of beverage containers, cost the city approximately $2 million annually due to the need to send these materials to the Central Landfill. By implementing a robust bottle bill, the city could save over $615,000 each year by establishing a new recycling stream for these containers.

Support for the bottle bill extends beyond business concerns. Mayor Brett Smiley and the Providence City Council are backing the initiative, pointing out its potential to improve recycling effectiveness and relieve taxpayers of associated costs. They believe a bottle deposit system could lead to better environmental outcomes for Rhode Island.

The Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture is presently deliberating two legislative proposals concerning the bottle bill. The first proposal is focused specifically on creating a beverage container redemption program, while the second includes provisions for “extended producer responsibility,” aiming at a broader range of packaging materials.

Despite this support, industry representatives have raised concerns about the potential impact of the proposed bottle tax. They argue that the deposit system would effectively act as a tax, leading many consumers to choose not to return bottles due to the inconvenience of locating redemption centers. This perspective highlights a significant debate over the legislative plan’s practicality and effectiveness.

Critics of the bottle tax have also pointed out that it may disproportionately affect lower-income individuals who may not have adequate transportation to get to redemption centers. They call for a focus on enhancing the existing recycling infrastructure rather than imposing new fees on consumers and businesses.

Environmental advocacy groups, including Save The Bay, the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, and Clean Water Action, are proponents of the bottle bill. They argue that the deposit system can incentivize litter reduction and enhance the cleanliness of Rhode Island’s environment. Research indicates that around 1,000 tons of microplastics linked to littering can be found in the sediment at the bottom of Narragansett Bay, underscoring the need for effective waste management strategies.

Despite the environmental advocacy, the Rhode Island beverage sales industry has expressed hesitance regarding the bottle bill. Concerns over the implications of its implementation and the financial burden it may impose have contributed to their reluctance to endorse the legislation.

Public opinion on the bottle tax appears varied. A recent poll indicated that 60% of respondents opposed the tax, while another poll showed that 55% supported the deposit aspect of the proposed legislation. This mixed feedback suggests a divided view among Rhode Islanders regarding the best approach to waste management and environmental protection.

Legislators assert that industries must be held accountable for the waste they generate, citing success stories from other states that have effectively utilized bottle bills to improve recycling rates. Both proposed bottle bills are currently under further review, along with other related legislation still pending in the House.

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Additional Resources

• Providence Journal: Would a bottle bill work in RI?
• GoLocalProv: Smiley will ask legislature to remove cap
• Rhode Island Current: R.I.’s bottle bill faces industry opposition
• Providence Journal: Bottle bill RI recycling politics
• Patch: Providence district town hall meeting
• Wikipedia: Container deposit
• Google Search: bottle bill RI
• Google Scholar: bottle deposits
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Bottle deposit
• Google News: bottle bill Rhode Island