SB 85, the aluminium can recycling bill gets lauded by CMI and IEC supporters

The Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) and the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) applauded the Senate Executive Committee's hearing on Sen. Laura Murphy's bill (SB 85) to establish an Illinois beverage container recycling rebate programme.

SB 85 would impose a refundable tax of 10 cents for containers weighing less than 24 ounces and 15 cents for containers weighing more than 24 ounces. When customers finish their beverage, they return the aluminium cans or beverage containers to a convenient redemption spot to get their reimbursement.

"Recycling refund programs play a vital role in raising beverage container recycling rates, and this legislation would have a significant impact on improving Illinois's environment and boosting its economy," said Scott Breen, CMI's vice president of sustainability.

The measure is co-sponsored by Laura Fine (D-Glenview), Adriane Johnson (D-Buffalo Grove), Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago), Julie A. Morrison (D-Lake Forest), Patrick J. Joyce (D-Essex), Rachel Ventura (D-Joliet), and Mike Porfirio (D-Lyons Township).

Returning containers helps to decrease trash and provides producers with clean materials to utilise as recycled content in beverage containers. Consequently, the local supply of recycled material required to manufacture the beverage containers people rely on has risen. This implies that producers must use less fresh material to build containers, lowering carbon emissions.

“The aluminium in cans has the ability to keep circulating forever since aluminium can be recycled infinitely. This is how 75% of all aluminium ever produced is still in circulation. CMI is grateful to Sen. Murphy for introducing this bill and for the support of all the co-sponsors. We also appreciate the Executive Committee holding this hearing to move SB 85 forward,” added Scott Breen.

“Illinois has a long history of championing recycling and composting programs, but it has a long way to go. Thanks to the efforts of Sen. Murphy and the other co-sponsors of SB 85, we can continue to make progress in reducing the amount of valuable materials that take up the dwindling space in the state’s landfills,” added IEC Executive Director Jen Walling.