ISSUE: Are additional mandates and regulations such as bottle deposit legislation necessary to increase Florida’s recycling rates.

DISCUSSION: Members of the retail industry are setting the standard for environmentally responsible practices. Without regulations, requirements, or mandates, many retailers are successfully establishing innovative practices that reduce waste, conserve resources, and provide greater value to consumers.

Much attention has been given to regulatory measures such as bottle bills and advanced disposal fees. Such measures are certainly well-intentioned, but their effectiveness is questionable. The potential for negative unintended consequences must be considered before the state and its citizens invest their time and limited resources in pursuit of these measures.

Bottle deposit regulations impose significant burdens on Florida’s individual and corporate citizens, yet address only a very small portion of Florida’s waste stream. In order to establish effective and worthwhile policies, there needs to be a comprehensive evaluation of the state’s current recycling rates and waste reduction practices. We need to adopt clear and measurable goals based on solid information, and our efforts need to focus on the areas of greatest opportunity. Further, policies adopted by the state need to supplement and encourage – not hinder - the voluntary efforts already taking place.

POSITION: The Florida Retail Federation supports voluntary efforts to reduce, reuse, recycle and divert. The Florida Retail Federation opposes bottle deposit legislation, which is an expensive and burdensome mandate that sounds good, but has little long-term benefit.