By Staff
Why should Michigan retailers be forced to pay on cans and bottles which were never purchased in Michigan? They shouldn't.
We support the proposal to crack down on the smuggling of illegal out-of-state bottles and cans which are being redeemed in Michigan stores.
According to a study made by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality in 2000, Michigan loses $10 million each year paying out redemption fees which were never collected in our state.
Southwest Michigan is in close proximity to neighboring states making this the ideal place for our merchants along state lines to be the ones paying out these deposits.
State Rep. Steve Bieda (D-Warren) has introduced two proposals which offer alternative solutions.
Drinks manufacturers must have a Universal Product Code or add-on bar that identifies the container as returnable in Michigan, or
Reverse vending manufacturers must upgrade their devices to be able to identify cans and bottles that come from other states.
A bipartisan group of 70 legislators is supporting Bieda, as are the Michigan Environmental Council, Clean Water Action and the Sierra Club.
Hopefully this proposal would discourage people from crossing state lines for beverage purchases.
Michigan retailers should not have to pay deposit refunds on those cans and bottles brought in from other states and the state loses money which could go to cleaning up our environment.