Representatives from USA glass container manufacturer Verallia North America shared their proposal for a container deposit programme that would avoid landfilling billions of recyclable beverage containers each year.
The Muncie, Indiana based company spoke at the Environmental Quality Service Council (EQSC) hearing on Recycling at the Indiana State House, which started oin Wednesday this week.
Stephen Segebarth, Senior Vice President of Government Relations, Regulatory Affairs and Law for Verallia North America, will testify before the EQSC, where he will discuss the business rationale for container deposit programmes, which already exist in 10 US states.
If adopted in Indiana, a container deposit programme would prevent most of the more than 3 billion glass, aluminum and plastic beverage bottles from being landfilled, as is currently the case in Indiana.
Instead of being pulled into the municipal solid waste stream where they are all too often simply collected, hauled and disposed of at considerable expense to Indiana taxpayers, such beverage containers would be recognised for what they are: high-demand feedstock commodities valued at approximately $60 million a year.
In addition, unredeemed deposits would likely yield another $35 to $40 million each year, which could be allocated to important projects that lack funding sources today.
"We need to stop burying this treasure," said Segebarth. "We believe 'there is a better way' to handle these valuable recyclable commodities where demand exceeds supply.
“We look forward to finding a resolution to this situation that not only supports Indiana business and jobs but that also demonstrates a commitment to sustainability through reduced energy consumption, air emissions, and waterway and roadside litter."
Verallia North America is a glass container manufacturer for the food and beverage industries and has 13 facilities in the USA.
