GOVERNOR CULVER LAYS OUT KEY GOALS FOR BOTTLE BILL LEGISLATION

“Doing Nothing is No Longer an Option.  After 30 Years it is Time to Modernize the Bottle Bill”

Des Moines – Today, Governor Chet Culver laid out his three key goals for bottle bill legislation being debated in the legislature:

1.                  Expand the Bottle Bill to include the 330 million water bottles, juice containers and sports drink containers that are currently not covered by Iowa’s Bottle Bill.

2.                  Increase funding assistance to rural redemption centers struggling to survive.  Five years ago there were 300 redemption centers in Iowa, today there are only 100 redemption centers open for consumers to redeem their beverage containers.

3.                  Fully fund the Resource Enhancement Program (REAP) at $20 million.

“I have traveled the state and listened to Iowans’ thoughts and concerns on how we can expand and modernize the 30-year-old Bottle Bill,” said Governor Culver.  “After discussing the Bottle Bill with Iowans, three things are clear:  

“First, there are those in Des Moines who say there is nothing we can do to help our rural redemption centers.  I disagree.  There are those who say expanding the Bottle Bill is not politically feasible.  I disagree.  The lobbyists and special interests have made their case in Des Moines, but Iowans have made their case directly to me in places like Sioux City, Mason City, Davenport and West Branch.  Doing nothing is no longer an option.  Iowans believe after 30 years it is time to modernize the Bottle Bill, and I believe they are right.  Lobbyists and special interests fought increasing the tobacco tax to $1 per pack, but the people of Iowa supported the measure and won that fight.  The result?  We will now save tens of thousands of lives and use the revenue generated to expand access for children’s health insurance.

“Second, Iowans believe it is time to expand the Bottle Bill to accurately reflect today’s consumption habits.   Common sense tells us it does not make sense to provide an incentive to recycle a Coke bottle while letting water bottles end up in ditches and landfills.  Today, 330 million containers per year in Iowa are not covered under the current law, and that is not acceptable.

“Third, rural redemption centers are struggling and need help.  I proposed increasing the deposit to 10 cents, with one cent going to redemption centers and one cent going to fully fund REAP.  I’ve always believed in telling Iowans directly what we’re going to do and listening to the people of Iowa.  I understand Iowans have concerns about not getting their full deposit back, and I recognize we need to come up with another way to meet our goals while ensuring Iowans get back their full deposit.  The people of Iowa need redemption centers to bring back their bottles and cans, and they strongly believe REAP is an important program that should be fully funded.  

“It is only the third week of the legislative session and we should not simply give up on doing what is best for the people of Iowa.  As I said in my Condition of the State Address, I am willing to work together in a bipartisan way and bring people to the table to achieve these goals.”

###