Support the Ballot Initiative for Expanded Bottle Bill

On Wednesday, August 7, the Massachusetts Coalition to Update the Bottle Bill submitted an initiative petition to the Office of the Attorney General. Today, I am proud to announce my strong support for the initiative.

The current Bottle Bill has dramatically increased recycling and reduced the number of bottles that end up in landfills and it is time to update the law to keep up with the times. Expanding the Bottle Bill will make our streets and parks cleaner and help reduce our carbon footprint.

A January 2011 poll by MassINC found that 77 percent of Massachusetts residents support expanding the Bottle Bill to include non-carbonated beverages like water, sports drinks and fruit juices.  

I am a longtime supporter of the Bottle Bill. I have filed three resolutions in the City Council dating back to 2009 calling for the passage of the bill, each of which has passed the council. Every time, the legislation has failed to pass the state legislature. 

I support a statewide referendum on the expanding the Bottle Bill and as Mayor I would put the full weight of my office behind an effort to pass the initiative.