The second ballot question on the November election expands the Bottle Bill, as students and adults contemplate whether they will benefit from a change or not.
The Bottle Bill, a container deposit law putting a refundable deposit on alcoholic items, expands to having a deposit on also nonalcoholic beverages is a big deal to many people.
“It encourages us to recycle more because the reality of it is a lot of water bottles aren’t recycled. If that ballot question gets more people recycling and less of this waste and bottles of water going into the trash, it would be wonderful for not only the state but also the planet,” Christina Connolly, Environmental Science teacher said.
“Water bottles are sold like crazy. The idea that you can get five cents for that, and it adds up really quickly,” president of the Environmental Club, senior Jillian Rizzitano said.
This proposal, generating interest in recycling and the environment, may change the lives of students and adults.
“It seems to me that anything that encourages the public to recycle would be beneficial for the environment and people in general,” English teacher Seth Czarnecki said.
Although the new bill may save money, some think this will make them lose money instead.
“Prices of water will go up because of the container, and you’d get a five cent deposit. So you’d pay more when you buy the bottle and get it back when you return it. So that would affect me. Since the prices would go up, people won’t want to buy water bottles. It might be good for the environment, but it isn’t good for sales,” AP Government senior Jack Mooney said.
“Increasing the desire for recycling in our country will spread awareness of the environment,” Rizzitano said.