Being on board with the current global shift of a cleaner greener earth I believe it is important to pass the “Smart container act”. This act encompasses a long term plan for a cleaner environment.
The “Smart Container Act” would require consumers to have a $0.10 deposit on “beverage” containers that are 24 oz or less and $0.20 for containers that are up to a gallon or 3.8 liters. The deposit is required as an incentive for the consumer to return the containers to a redemption center or a reverse vending machine. Upon the return of the container the customer would receive their deposit.
By passing this act multiple problems can be addressed. Hazards created by improper discarding of beverage bottles to vehicular traffic, pedestrians, farm animals and the accumulation of litter which is disposed of at the public’s expense are just some of the issues that would be resolved. On a global measure the waste of mineral and energy resources currently used to discard these materials would be reduced.
It is important to address the issue of litter in New Jersey. What better way to do so than to pass an act incentivizing consumers as well as retailers to use fewer resources and keep New Jersey clean.