Tackling Nip Bottle Pollution: A Bold New Bill

Описание: The video captures a Rhode Island House Committee on Environment and Natural Resources hearing held on February 11, 2021, in Warwick, Rhode Island. Representative David Bennett introduces House Bill 5113, the "Miniature Alcohol Beverage Container Act of 2021," which proposes a 50-cent deposit on miniature alcohol bottles, commonly referred to as "nips." Bennett explains that the bill aims to reduce littering and environmental pollution, citing his personal observations of discarded nips clogging sewers, littering roadsides, and polluting local ponds in Warwick. The deposit system would incentivize consumers to return the bottles for recycling, with unclaimed deposits funding the state’s clean water initiatives.

Kevin Budres, representing the Conservation Law Foundation, testifies in support of the bill, emphasizing the environmental impact of nips and noting that Maine and Iowa have similar deposit programs. He highlights the challenges of recycling nips through single-stream systems and the benefits of source separation. Dave McLaughlin of Clean Ocean Access also supports the bill, sharing insights from shoreline cleanups where nips are frequently found. John Berard, Rhode Island State Director for Clean Water Action, discusses the broader environmental consequences of nips, including their contribution to microplastic pollution in Narragansett Bay. Hank Webster, Chair of the West Greenwich Land Trust, testifies in favor of the bill, citing observations from annual cleanups that reveal patterns of littering and drinking while driving.

The hearing concludes with representatives expressing concerns about the logistical and financial impacts on liquor stores and distributors, as well as questions about how other states manage similar programs.

Read more on this story here: https://upriseri.com

** CONNECT WITH US **
► Web: https://upriseri.com
► BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/upriseri.bsk...
► Twitter/X: https://x.com/UpriseRI
► Instagram:   / uprise_ri  

Support our work: https://upriseri.com/contribute/