MONTPELIER, Vt. -
The Agency of Natural Resources is expected to release a much anticipated report Friday on Vermont's bottle redemption law.
Right now, consumers pay a five-cent deposit on every bottle of soda and beer they buy. For the past year, the state has been examining whether to repeal, maintain or expand the bottle program to include more drinks like juices.
Though the report is not yet out, the Vermont Public Interest Research Group is already voicing concerns about the scope of the study.
"But at the end of the day it was kind of narrowly focused on the system and was not considering other aspects, such as the local community groups that rely on bottle drives, it is looking at the litter aspect and other things," said Lauren Hierl of VPIRG.
"The influx of beverages coming onto the market on a yearly basis aren't carbonated or fit the mold of what is to be redeemed, there's new things every day. So those containers are piling up and going here and there, so it seems to be a good fit, so it should be added on to it as well," said Bob Coloutti of Terrill Street Discount Beverage.
Supporters of an expanded bottle bill have attached it as an amendment to the solid waste bill. That bill aims set goals for keeping more recyclable materials from landfills.
