In 1976, Michigan voters passed “The Bottle Bill,” effectively making Michigan a national leader in recycling and recycling policy. Many of us see the bill's impact when we pass – or enter – the bottle return systems in grocery stores. Select bottles go in, in-store credits come out. And in the process, our land and water stays clean and our recycling industry and workforce stays strong.
Two bills introduced last week will make all bottles and cans, save for milk containers, returnable. Those that are discarded are picked up and returned by the state. Under Sen. Sean McCann's and Rep. Christine Morse's bills, 75% of that return would fund contaminated site cleanups, while 25% would be sent back to Michigan retailers. These changes, in tandem, will divert waste from landfills and be a boon for our recycling industry, leading to more well-paying jobs and a more circular economy of use and reuse.
Sean Hammond, MEC policy director, helped advocate for the bill package's policy changes and now educates and advocates for its passage. Join him and MEC President/CEO Conan Smith as they discuss how Michigan was once a national leader in recycling and how bills like McCann's and Morse's can help it become a leader again at the benefit of people, industry and the environment.
The Capitol Connection webinar series is generously sponsored by Steve and Judy Dobson.
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