Rhode Island lawmakers to consider bottle deposit system to promote recycling

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island’s Governor, Dan McKee, signed a joint resolution to consider a drink container deposit system in the state for the first time.

The state’s Conservation Law Foundation’s Senior Attorney, Mara Shulman said single-use plastic drink containers pollute the environment at every stage of their lives, and the problem is only getting worse.

“A new bottle bill would go a long way to clean up the scourge of litter in Rhode Island’s communities while ramping up recycling rates across the state. The formation of a study committee is a great first step, but we certainly have more work to do in getting a bottle bill on the books in the next session,” Shulman said.

Officials said with the deposit system, residents would pay an additional 10 cents for beverage containers, which they can later redeem by returning the empty bottle or can for recycling. Any unclaimed deposits would be used to promote recycling and sustainability measures throughout the state.