Bottle deposit could be coming to Rhode Island if new bill is passed

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A 10-cent bottle deposit might soon be making its way to Rhode Island.

Within the next few years, consumers in the Ocean State could see a new 10-cent bottle deposit on bottles and cans in stores.

“Save the Bay, our volunteers, and other volunteers gather thousands and thousands of beverage containers from our shoreline every year,” Save the Bay Director of Advocacy Jed Thorp said.

Littering has evidently been an ongoing issue, and advocates for the bottle bill, like Thorp, said bottle bills in other states; including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and Maine are proven successful.

“The ten-cent deposit is fully refundable,” Thorp said. “All you have to do is return that container and you’ll get your ten cents back.”

While many support the bill, others see it as essentially a new tax to consumers, and are not convinced people will participate and actually return their recycled items.

“30 packs of beer go up $3 on the shelf and 24 packs of water go up $2.40 on the shelf at a time where legislators should be worried about lowering grocery costs,” Rhode Island Liquor Operators Collaborative Executive Director Nicholas Fede Jr. said. “This is going to be a cost increase to consumers.”

For one convenience store owner in Providence, she’s worried for her business if the bill does pass.

“The idea is only 10 cents, but it’s not just 10 cents,” La Esquinita Market owner Norma Pacheco said. “It adds up. At a time where we are struggling to make ends meet, the checks just aren’t going as far as they should.”

On Tuesday night, there will be a hearing on the bill. The Rhode Island General Assembly will have until the end of the session to potentially bring it up for a vote.

If the bill does pass, there will be a three-to-four year period before the deposit takes effect.