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       #Post#: 841--------------------------------------------------
       Recycling
   DIR By: AGelbert
       Date: February 10, 2023, 2:50 pm
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       February 10, 2023
       Dear Anthony,
       I write to you today with enormous hope around
       [glow=green,2,300]finally[/glow] modernizing Vermont's popular
       Bottle Bill in 2023. As you may know, VPIRG has worked to
       protect and modernize the Bottle Bill for decades and it was the
       first issue that I took on when I joined the VPIRG team full
       time in 2019. Currently, the program covers carbonated beverages
       (like soda and beer) at a 5-cent deposit and liquor at 15-cents.
       Last spring, we came up just short in our campaign to update the
       law.
       Here is a brief recap to catch you up -
       ► In 2021, with the help of our members, we passed H.175
       (modernizing the Bottle Bill) in the House with overwhelming
       support.
       ► Approaching the 2022 Legislative Session, we delivered
       over 10,000 petition signatures to the State House in support of
       expanding the Bottle Bill to include more types of beverages
       like water bottles, sports drinks, and wine. See the photo
       below!
       ► In May 2022, H.175 passed the Senate just one day before
       adjournment, meaning the House did not have time to give final
       approval and the bill died
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       Since then, [glow=teal,2,300]we[/glow] have been
  HTML https://soberthinking.createaforum.com/gallery/soberthinking/1-120422122720-6841842.png<br
       />[glow=blue,2,300]working[/glow] with key stakeholders on the
       newest iteration of the [glow=green,2,300]Bottle Bill[/glow]. It
       has made such a difference to be back in the State House again
       for the first time since March 2020! I've been forging new
       relationships, participating in meetings, and educating new
       legislators on the importance of the Bottle Bill. Last month
       Executive Director Paul Burns and I teamed up to give
       preliminary testimony on our proposal to modernize Vermont's
       Bottle Bill.
       Earlier this week, [glow=green,2,300]the Bill (H.158 <-- new
       number!) [/glow]was formally introduced in the
       [glow=blue,2,300]House Energy and Environment Committee[/glow]
       and testimony is being taken.
       [center]House Environment and Energy 01-19-23-1:15PM
       &#128077;[/center]
       [center]
  HTML https://youtu.be/57m5M2I8-1U[/center]
       &#9658; Vermont's law covers less than half of beverages :(
       because it hasn't been updated in decades.
       [glow=green,2,300]Maine's law covers 92% of beverages sold
       there.[/glow]
       &#9658; 83% of [glow=teal,2,300]Vermonters[/glow] support
       expanding the scope of the Bottle Bill.
       &#9658; Making beverage containers from recycled material
       requires less energy and less [glow=brown,2,300]fossil &#129430;
       fuels[/glow].
  HTML https://soberthinking.createaforum.com/gallery/soberthinking/1-050422144605.png
       &#9658; Bottle Bills with a $.10 or higher deposit achieve 90%
       redemption rates.
       We need more beverages in the system (like water, sports drinks,
       and wine) so we can recycle the containers over and over. But,
       we're facing opposition from the powerful trash and beverage
       industries. It won't be easy (it never is), but with expert
       testimony, tri-partisan support, and grassroots energy, I know
       we can win this together.
       Thank you for being a part of the VPIRG community and helping us
       get this bill across the finish line.
       Thank you!
       [glow=teal,2,300]Marcie Gallagher[/glow]
       [glow=green,2,300]Environmental Advocate[/glow], VPIRG
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