SIGN THE NIP DEPOSIT PETITION
House Bill H3528, if it passes, will impose a 5 cent deposit on nip bottles. A nip is properly called a miniature which is defined in the bill as “any sealable bottle, can, jar or carton which is primarily composed of glass, metal, plastic or any combination of those materials that has a capacity of not more than 100 milliliters and is produced for the purpose of containing an alcoholic beverage.”
As we all know, nips are one of the most frequently picked up pieces of litter by our volunteers.
Proponents of the bill are asking citizens and students to sign petitions in support of the 5 cent deposit. They believe the deposit will reduce the amount of nips as litter. Approximately 70% of all cans and bottles are currently redeemed. Users of nips may begin saving them to return. Others will pick up the nips along with the cans and bottles they already pick up, and redeem them. The end result should be fewer nips along the town’s roads, on the beaches, and in the parks.
Don’t Trash Wareham is spearheading the petition drive. We are trying to get as many signatures as we can. Currently, petitions are available to sign at the Main Library at 59 Marion Road and Spinney Library at 259 Onset Avenue. Anyone can get a copy of a petition by emailing donttrashwareham@gmail.com. Petitions may be signed by any adult or student from any town, so the petitions could be brought to work, signed by family members and so forth.
Petitions may be dropped off at either library or could also be mailed directly to Paul Hebert, 142 Strawberry Hill Road, Centerville, MA 02632.
In addition, everyone is encouraged to phone or email Representative Susan Williams Gifford, who is also a co-sponsor at 617-722-2100 or Susan.Gifford@ma.house.gov. State Senator Marc Pacheco, who is a member of the committee reviewing the bill may be reached at 617-722-1551 or at Marc.Pacheco@ma.senate.gov.
