Governor Chet Culver still hasn't given up yet on his idea to expand the state's 30 year old bottle bill deposit law. He no longer wants to make you pay more. He had pitched the idea of doubling the deposit to a dime, but only giving you eight cents back. That didn't go over well with Iowans or their legislators. Now, he wants to keep the deposit at a nickel. But he's adamant that lawmakers still expand the bill to include most every drink sold in a plastic container.
Lt Governor Patty Judge today threw out the idea that redemption centers get two cents from distributors instead of one. Redemption centers say they have survived on just a penny for the last 30 years and it's time they got a little more. Distributors, of course, don't like this. They say this would be a $19 million tax increase and they would pass the costs on to consumers. They would prefer the state scrap the deposits altogether and use curbside recycling for everyone. Of course, some towns say they can't afford curbside recycling. That's why they don't do it now. And they say the extra money they would get from the scrap aluminum and plastic from the containers still won't be enough to make this worth.
No matter which idea you prefer, it seems there is at least one group somewhere that says, in the end, any bottle bill expansion will have you paying more. You will either pay more as a taxpayer or as a consumer.
So what makes sense (and cents) here?
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11 comments:
the price for soda and bottled waters and juices has risen over the past year so I say give the redempention centers the extra penny and the distrubutors need to quit whining. Put the extra money recieved towards improving Iowa roadways that are a mess.
The Govenor just doesn't get it. We do not want this bill, period!!!! Prices are up on everything and now Chet wants to polk it to us somemore. If this bill passes in any form it it going to be paid for by Iowans. Please schedule the Govenor for a plexaglass navel as soon as possible before he hurts our pocketbooks further.
I have a son who lives in Columbia, Missouri. At one time, the city had a redemption program in place and the streets were essentially clear of bottles and cans. A local resident lobbied the council for a "Curb It" program rather than the redemption option. Now, the streets are littered with cans and bottles. Yeah, CURB IT really works.
rm
I am in favor of keeping the plastic cleaned up. I am willing to contribute to the cause.
It is sad that distributors say this will cost the consumer $19 million dollars per year to give the redemption centers a raise. The price of a case of Pepsi averaged $6.00 one year ago. It is now $7.48. Plus each week it will fluctuate by about $2.00 a case. The redemption centers are asking for 24 cents per case. Do you also realize that distributors reap in about $20,000 PER week selling the aluminum from their containers? Let redemption centers take over the recycling and the money from the non-redeemed containers which is in the billions.
How many groups and organizations raise money off of the bottle bill. It is sad that a few idiots want to get rid of a program that provides thousands and thousands of dollars to these groups.
Distributors don't need to raise their prices to give redemption centers an extra penny. They make billions of dollars off of the undreemed containers and aluminum that they sell. They just want another reason to put another penny in their pocket. Tell them to give up that money to redemption centers and listen to them scream.
My father and mother own a very successful redemption center in Pella. Their income comes from the business they receive at their redemption center. I want you to think of your job right now, and think of the income you receive to live your life on. Now I want you to consider the income you make, and think thirty years from now. Would you be able to live off your income thirty years from now without a pay raise, especially with inflation the way it is, because that is what redemption center workers are living off of. They are living off of pay that has not been raised in over thirty years! That is ridiculous! Any worker would be very upset after working thirty years, without a single pay raise, and they have every right to be upset about it.
Distributors currently pocket at least $19 million from unredeemed cans and bottles. So the problem really is that they are too greedy. Pay the redemption centers the money they deserve and have earned for doing a great job.
If consumers still have a problem with the penny being passed on to them...they need to get off their behinds, go out and pick up five cans to make up the difference. Exercise... environment... profit...we're all winners!
Disbributors want to go to curbside recycling, but what about all the containers that would be tossed out at sporting events, big parties, and family gatherings. The redemption return is 93%. Recycling on nonredeemables stand at about 60%. What do the number say? Redemption Wins.
its time for all polititions to curb spending and stop adding these silly taxes to our burduns
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