Governor Markell Will Veto HB 201

Governor Jack Markell has announced that he will veto HB 201, the Un-Bottle Bill. While noting that the current program "is not very effective," the Governor points out that HB 201 offers no alternative and "does not move us forward." He closes his veto message with this challenge to all stakeholders, including the environmental community:

To that end, I have directed Secretary Collin O'Mara of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and Alan Levin, the Director of the Delaware Economic Development Office, to work with Representative Viola, other members of the General Assembly, beverage distributors and retailers, and the environmental community to comprehensively examine how beverage bottles are distributed, sold, returned and recycled. My hope is that we can propose a workable solution when the General Assembly returns in January, 2010.

I and a small group of recycling advocates spoke with the Governor last Friday to make the case for a veto. It seems he listened to what we had to say.
The veto gives recycling advocates leverage with legislators who want to get rid of the current program. This may be our best opportunity yet to create a comprehensive statewide zero waste policy in Delaware.