Supermarkets Launch Campaign Against Bottle Bill In Mass.
BOSTON (AP) — Supermarket chains are launching a television ad to try to persuade voters to reject a ballot question to expand Massachusetts' bottle deposit law.
The ballot question would change the current nickel deposit to include bottled water and other non-carbonated beverages not included in the original law. It is Question 2 on the ballot.
The ad says the change would mean higher prices on juice, bottled water, soda and other beverages. The ad also notes the nickel deposit would be adjusted every five years to keep up with increases in inflation.
The top contributors to the No on Question 2 coalition are four supermarket chains — Roche Bros., Big Y Food, Stop & Shop and the operators of Price Chopper supermarkets.
The Sierra Club and other environmental groups say updating the decades-old law will reduce litter and encourage recycling.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
MORE LOCAL NEWS FROM CBS BOSTON