This editorial originally provided by WV Metro News

February 8, 2007

Bottle Bill Lobby

MetroNews Talkline
State Capitol

A Maine recycler says there was opposition, initially, to a bottle bill in his state. But Mike McCray says the objections there were unfounded and he says he believes the same would happen in West Virginia.

"In the State of Maine, it was initially opposed and it's become a way of life. It's no different than an educational process on recycling or any of the other school programs. It's an education process and they (Maine
residents) receive their money back," says McCray who was a guest on Thursday's MetroNews Talkline.

McCray was at the state capitol, lobbying alongside the Citizens Action Group for the bottle bill.

In addition to creating jobs, McCray the bottle bill will bring a number of other benefits. "It is a proven fact that the redemption center process does bring a cleaner state, as far as litter control, it also brings a higher revenue and return for the materials that are created from the bottle bill."

Maine requires a five-cent deposit on every bottle and can purchased. The bottle bill lawmakers are currently considering at the State House would make the deposit in West Virginia ten cents.

McCray says those who do not return their bottles and cans lose out. "If they choose not to do the right thing, then they've lost their money and it's their way of donating to the cause for somebody else to provide that cleanup process.

West Virginia lawmakers have taken up some form of the bottle bill for a number of years but the proposal has yet to pass.