The Potential Environmental Benefits of a West Virginia Beverage Container Deposit Law

Melvin Tyree


Introduction

States with beverage container deposit systems (commonly referred to as "bottle bill states") recover substantially more discarded beverage containers than other states. Nationally, bottle bill states recover 71.6 percent of their beverage containers (490 beverage containers per capita) compared to just 27.9 percent (191 containers per capita) in other states (Businesses and Environmentalists Allied for Recycling 2002). Bottle bill states provide consumers a financial incentive (typically requiring consumers to deposit a refundable amount, for example, 5 cents per aluminum can) to encourage them to recyle. Several studies have indicated that this financial incentive works. Deposit states have realized significant energy savings and environmental benefits through the capture and reuse of recovered container materials, such as glass, aluminum, polyethylene terephthalate (commonly found in clear plastic soda bottles) and HDPE (commonly used in the manufacture of milk jugs) (Businesses and Environmentalists Allied for Recycling 2002).

West Virginia is a non-deposit state. Its recyling and recovery efforts rely, primarily, on municipal curbside and residential drop-off services. However, if West Virginia adopted a "Bottle Bill" law and recovered just 50 percent of its beverage containers, a very conservative estimate given experiences in other states, West Virginia would save 365 billion BTUs of energy annually, the equivalent of about 62,979 barrels of oil annually. West Virginia would also recover at least 19,350 tons of beverage containers annually, saving the equivalent of about 77,000 cubic yards of landfill space annually. West Virignai would also reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 11,600 tons annually.

Methods and Assumptions: Energy Savings and Solid Waste Reduction

West Virginia's actual beverage container discard and recovery rates are not available. Tables 1 and 2 assume that West Virginia's annual beverage container disposal rate is at the national average. If this assumption is correct, the state disposes of approximately 32,400 tons of glass, 3,960 tons of aluminum, 2,160 tons of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)(commonly found in clear plastic soda bottles), and 198 tons of HDPE (commonly used in the manufacture of milk jugs) each year. Tables 1 and 2 also assume that West Virginia's beverage container recovery rate is about the same as the national average for other non-bottle bill states (27.9 percent). If this assumption is correnct, the state's residents' recycling and recovery efforts currently conserve 203 billion btus of energy annually. As Table 1 shows, if West Virginia had a bottle bill law, and increased its beverage container recovery rate to 50 percent (a conservative estimate based on the experiences of other bottle bill states), West Virginia would conserve 364.7 billion Btus of energy, the equivalent of 62,979 barrels of oil. It would also conserve 77,300 cubic yards of landfill space annually. These are significant improvements over the current policy.

Table 2 indicates that if West Virginia had a bottle bill law, and increased its beverage container recovery rate to 75 percent (similar to the experiences of other bottle bill states), West Virginia would conserve 548 billion Btus of energy, the equivalent of 94,500 barrels of oil. It would also conserve 116,000 cubic yards of landfill space annually. These are significant improvements over the current policy.

Table 1
Estimated Annual Energy Savings and Waste Reduction Benefits From a Potential West Virginia Container Law
Assuming a 50 percent Recovery Rate

Glass Aluminum PET HDPE Bottle Bill (50%) Current Policy (27.9%)
Current Annual Disposal Rate 32,400 3,960 2,160 198 38,718 38,718
Conserved Energy/
with a bottle bill
(billion Btus)		 22.2 313 28 1.5 364.7 203
Energy Equivalent/
with a bottle bill
(barrels of oil)		 3,830 54,000 4,890 259 62,979 35,000
Reduced Litter/
with a bottle bill
(thousands of containers)		 74,200 131,000 28,800 2,640 236,640 132,000
Conserved landfill space/
with a bottle bill
(cubic yards)		 48,600 16,600 10,600 1,500 77,300 43,000

Table 2
Estimated Annual Energy Savings and Waste Reduction Benefits From a Potential West Virginia Container Law
Assuming a 75 percent Recovery Rate

Glass Aluminum PET HDPE Bottle Bill (50%) Current Policy (27.9%)
Current Annual Disposal Rate 32,400 3,960 2,160 198 38,718 38,718
Conserved Energy/
with a bottle bill
(billion Btus)		 33.3 470 42.5 2.3 548.1 203
Energy Equivalent/
with a bottle bill
(barrels of oil)		 5,740 81,000 7,330 390 94,460 35,000
Reduced Litter/
with a bottle bill
(thousands of containers)		 111,000 197,000 43,300 4,000 355,300 132,000
Conserved landfill space/
with a bottle bill
(cubic yards)		 72,900 25,000 15,900 2,300 116,100 43,000

Discussion

The higher beverage container recovery rates, seen in states with deposit systems, result in significant energy savings, litter reduction and conserved landfill space. Table 1 lists the estimated energy savings and waste reduction benefits which could occur (assuming a 50 percent beverage container recovery rate) if West Virginia adopted a container deposit law. The estimated total energy savings of 365 billion BTUs is equivalent of about 63,000 barrels of oil. This energy savings result from reductions in energy use in manufacturing and transportation through the use of recycled materials in manufacturing processes versus the use and extraction of virgin materials. Equally significant is the conservation of landfill space which could result if 50 percent of West Virginia's beverage containers were diverted out of the waste stream. Approximately 19,350 tons of beverage containers could be recovered and about 77,000 cubic yards of landfill space could be conserved at a 50 percent recovery rate. If a 75 percent recovery rate is assumed (Table 2), these totals increase to over 29,000 tons and 116,000 cubic yards of conserved landfill space in West Virginia.

Methods and Assumptions: Air and Waterbourn Emission Reductions

Air and water pollutant emissions are also reduced through recycling. Increased reuse or recycling reduces the need for extraction and processing of virgin materials for new aluminum, glass and plastic, thus avoiding the release of many environmental contaminants. Tables 3 and 4 list the potential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, as well as for the five most significant categories (in terms of weight) of air and waterborne environmental contaminants in the United States if West Virginia had a bottle bill. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emissions data inidcate that the activitied of the average American citizen produces 6.6 tons of greenhouse gases annually. Assuming that West Virginians recyled 50 percent of their beverage containers (a conservative estimate based on the experiences of bottle bill states) a bottle bill in this state would reduce the state's emission of greenhouse gases by 11,600 tons annually, equal to the amount produced by more than 1,750 people annually. A 75 percent beverage container recovery rate would reduce greenhouse gas emssions the equivalent to that produced annually by more than 2,600 people.

Table 3

Estimated Annual Emission Reductions for Select Parameters From a Potential West Virginia Container Law at a 50% Recovery Rate

  Glass   Aluminum   PET   HDPE   Total Total
Emission Parameters Per Ton Recovered Total Annual Reduced Emissions Per Ton Recovered Total Annual Reduced Emissions Per Ton Recovered Total Annual Reduced Emissions Per Ton Recovered Total Annual Reduced Emissions Bottle Bill (50%) Current Policy (27.9% )
Atmospheric Emissions metric tons metric tons metric tons metric tons metric tons metric tons metric tons metric tons metric tons metric tons
                     
Greenhouse Gases,MTCE 0.16 2,590 4.11 8,140 0.72 778 0.44 44 11,600 6,420
English Units pounds short tons pounds short tons pounds short tons pounds short tons short tons short tons
Total Particulates 6.92 56.1 54.51 54 5.73 3.09 2.64 0.13 113.3 63.1
Nitrogen Oxides 1.47 11.9 59.81 59.2 33.7 18.2 16.99 0.80 90.1 50.1
Sulfur Oxides 3.44 27.9 170.11 168 40.71 22 7.89 0.39 218.3 121.5
Carbon Monoxide 0.80 6.5 101.63 101 28.36 15.3 0.3 0.01 122.8 68
Hydrocarbons

(non-methane)		 0.82 6.6 0.17 0.17 67.82 36.62 35.23 1.74 45.1 25.1
                     
Waterbourn Emissions pounds short tons pounds short tons pounds short tons pounds short tons short tons short tons
Dissolved Solids 3.34 27 92.92 92 -1.24 -0.67 -0.7 -0.03 122.8 65.8
Suspended Solids 1.36 11 9.06 9 0.88 0.48 0.34 0.02 20.5 11.4
BOD 0.004 0.03 0.144 0.14 1.6535 0.88 0.082 0.01 1.1 0.6
COD 0.05 0.40 2.18 2.16 5.18 2.8 -0.16 -0.01 5.4 3.0
Oil 0.06 0.49 1.68 1.66 0 0 0.03 0 2.2 1.2

Table 4

Estimated Annual Emission Reductions for Select Parameters From a Potential West Virginia Container Law at a 75% Recovery Rate

  Glass   Aluminum   PET   HDPE   Total Total
Emission Parameters Per Ton Recovered Total Annual Reduced Emissions Per Ton Recovered Total Annual Reduced Emissions Per Ton Recovered Total Annual Reduced Emissions Per Ton Recovered Total Annual Reduced Emissions Bottle Bill (50%) Current Policy (27.9% )
Atmospheric Emissions metric tons metric tons metric tons metric tons metric tons metric tons metric tons metric tons metric tons metric tons
                     
Greenhouse Gases,MTCE 0.16 3,890 4.11 12,200 0.72 1,170 0.44 66 17,300 6,420
English Units pounds short tons pounds short tons pounds short tons pounds short tons short tons short tons
Total Particulates 6.92 84.1 54.51 80.9 5.73 4.6 2.64 0.2 169.8 63.1
Nitrogen Oxides 1.47 17.9 59.81 88.8 33.7 27.3 16.99 1.3 135.3 50.1
Sulfur Oxides 3.44 41.8 170.11 252.6 40.71 33 7.89 0.6 328 121.5
Carbon Monoxide 0.80 9.7 101.63 150.9 28.36 23 0.3 0 183.6 68
Hydrocarbons

(non-methane)		 0.82 10 0.17 0.3 67.82 54.9 35.23 2.6 67.8 25.1
                     
Waterbourn Emissions pounds short tons pounds short tons pounds short tons pounds short tons short tons short tons
Dissolved Solids 3.34 40.6 92.92 138 -1.24 -1 -0.7 -0.1 177.5 65.8
Suspended Solids 1.36 16.5 9.06 13.5 0.88 0.7 0.34 0 30.7 11.4
BOD 0.004 0 0.144 0.2 1.6535 1.3 0.082 0 1.5 0.6
COD 0.05 0.6 2.18 3.2 5.18 4.2 -0.16 0 8 3.0
Oil 0.06 0.7 1.68 2.5 0 0 0.03 0 3.2 1.2

Conclusion

Assuming that a future West Virginia container deposit law results in a beverage container recovery rate of between 50 percent and 75 percent, between 19,000 and 29,000 tons of beverage containers will be diverted from disposal each year. According to the West Virginia Solid Waste Management Board's Solid Waste Management Plan for 2001, this range represents more than half the total waste generated by Charleston, West Virginia in 2000 (41,247 tons). Presently, less than 11,000 tons is diverted from the waste stream under current state policy (assuming the average recovery rate of 27.9 percent for non-deposit states).

The total energy conserved by the state annually, given a 50 percent to 75 percent recovery rate, would be between 365 and 548 billion BTUs (Tables 1 and 2). This is the energy equivalent of between 63,000 and 94,500 barrels of oil. The energy equivalent saved under current policy is about 35,000 barrels of oil.

A state bottle bill would conseve the state's landfill capacity between 77,000 and 116,000 cubic yards annually, assuming a container recovery rate of 50 percent to 75 percent (Tables 1 and 2). The annual landfill volume saved under current policy is about 43,000 cubic yards annually.

In addition to the previously discussed reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a bottle bill would also reduce the release of several other environmental contaminants. Atmospheric emissions of total particulates could be reduced by between 113.3 and 169.8 tons per year compared to the current policy's reduction of just 63.1 tons annaully (Tables 3 and 4). Sulfur Oxides could be reduced between 218.3 and 328 tons, compared to 121.5 tons annually under current policy. Atmospheric Carbon Monoxide levels could be reduced between 122.8 and 183.6 tons annually, compared to 68 tons under current policy.

The most significant waterborne emissions avoided (in terms of total weight) by increased beverage container recovery rates are Dissolved and Suspended Solids (Tables 3 and 4). A bottle bill would reduce the total annual avoided waterborne emissions of Dissolved Solids range between 118.3 and 177.5 tons annually, compared to 65.8 tons annually under current policy. Emissions of Suspended Solids could be reduced by 20.5 to 30.7 tons yearly by a West Virginia container deposit law, compared to 11.4 tons now.

The West Virginia Recycling Act has set the following per capita solid waste disposal reduction goals: 20 percent by January 1, 1994, 30 percent by January 1, 2000 and 50 percent by January 1, 2010 (West Virginia Solid Waste Management Board, 2001). According to the 2001 West Virginia Solid Waste Management Plan: "Given current solid waste management practices, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to achieve the recycling goals established by the legislature." Further. the report notes that, "Preliminary analysis of municipal recycling programs indicates that approximately 5% - 10% of the waste stream is being recycled." In addition, the report recommends that, "A concerted effort must be made to increase the participation and capture rate in existing recycling programs."

Although adopting a West Virginia container deposit law would not guarantee that the waste reduction goals set by the West Virginia Recycling Act would be met, the experiences of other bottle bill states suggest that West Virginia's beverage container recovery rate would probably be doubled or possibly tripled. Moreover, recycling rates of other materials, such as paper and cardboard, may also be increased following the adoption of a West Virginia container law, particularly if container deposit stations are sited near community recycling centers.

References

Businesses and Environmentalists Allied for Recycling, 2002. "Understanding Beverage Container Recycling: A Value Chain Assessment." Atlanta, GA: Businesses and Environmentalists Allied for Recycling. The report is available on-line at: http://www.globalgreen.org/BEAR/Projects/FinalReport.pdf.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2002. State and County Quick Facts. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Census Bureau. Available on-line at: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/.

U..S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1999. "Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1996 Update." Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, USEPA Emission Facts. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Available on-line at: http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/emissions/individual/index.

West Virginia Solid Waste Management Board, 2002. "West Virginia Solid Waste Management Plan 2001." Charleston, WV: West Virginia Solid Waste Management Board. The plan is available on-line at: http://www.state.wv.us/swmb/State%20Plan.htm.

About the author

Melvin Tyree is a staff scientist with the West Virginia Citizen Action Group and was formerly a geologist with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.


Acknowledgment: I would like to express my appreciation to the West Virginia Citizen Action Group (WVCAG) for providing the computer services and Internet access during the research and writing of this technical report. In particular, I'd like to recognize WVCAG's director Norm Steenstra and program manager Linda Mallet for their support and encouragement.