Jim’s Thought’s from the Road – Bottle Deposits
Sun, Jun 21, 2009
Last night at the London, Ontario show (of the Tar Sands Resistance Tour) I saw the most amazing thing; the bar staff was collecting empty beer bottles and sorting them back into the boxes they came in. It turns out in Canada you get 10 cents a bottle and 5 cents a can back when you return them, and this is the status quo. Substance works to promote full recycling at shows; bottle deposit policy blows recycling out of the water.
Bottle deposits offer economic incentives for consumers to return the bottles, which allows the distributors to refill bottles rather than make more from either virgin or recycled materials. It cuts out a couple of steps even from an efficient recycling program, making the environmental benefits seemingly obvious.
Though not much different, Canada seems a bit ahead of the States. Don’t everyone run away to Canada; Substance plans to work within the United States to promote such initiatives and mentalities that lead to bottle deposits becoming the norm. Canada, and much of the western world, gives the U.S. and example to follow, a standard to meet.
We are on our day off in Montreal tonight. The Tar Sands Resistance Tour is going very well and Canada is providing us with some great insights. Most Canadians seem to know about the Tar Sands project and are quite opposed. They are excited that some activists from the States are working to promote and mobilize around this issue. It is inspiring and allows us to see our impact. The Propagandhi/Strike Anywhere crowds are great and have been very receptive. This music and activism thing is powerful.
Jim – Substance
It’s not just that. In Ontario it’s return the cans and bottles of alcohol. But in BC it’s return ANY recyclable. This is all hearsay from me, but my boyfriend lived in BC for a few years and he says the streets are virtually spotless(or at least a lot cleaner) because there’s a financial gain to be had for picking up anything that’s recyclable. Something to think about and I think Ontario should definitely institute this program as well.
By the way, I heard about you guys through the Propagandhi tour in Toronto last night. Wicked concert and I’m always into a little activism