At Budwey's in Kenmore, the bottle return receptacles will be working overtime once NYS's new bottle bill is implemented. And while some customers are looking forward to the new expanded bill adding deposits on water bottles this weekend, the man who runs the store is not excited about it.
Owner Frank Budwey says the change involves a simple scanner adjustment still he's not happy about it. "This whole thing is just to give money to NYC and I think we're all tired of helping out NYC with this unnecessary deposit on water bottles, its not going to help the environment."
Shoppers have mixed reactions.
A sampling of some shopper comments found there recently:
"You do it on pop...so why not on water."
"What else are they going to tax...it's just getting ridiculous, I'm just so tired of it."
Budwey is adding an additional receptacle in his North Tonawanda store at a cost of $20,000. But its the consumers he fears will pay the biggest price. Budwey says manufacturers will likely raise prices since they now have to produce two labels, one for NYS, another for stores in states without a bottle deposit. Many warehouses according to Budwey are scrambling to sell overstock to stores across the border in Pennsylvania
Buffalo, NY (WBEN)- Wegmans is ready to be compliant with New York State's water bottle law set to take effect this weekend, according to spokesperson Ann McCarthy. "But we are going to wait until Sunday, November 8th, (to collect the deposit) just to make absolutely sure that we are erring on the side of customers."
The state has allowed a week long delay in enforcement of deposit collection. Shoppers will, however, be able to return empty water bottles for deposit starting Saturday, October 31st.
Plenty of infrastructure changes have gone into the ability to charge deposit and accept empty bottles at Wegmans and stores across the state. "It does seem so simple when we check out. Scan the items and your quickly out the door," says McCarthy. "But when you step back and look at the processes that go into that ability, its much more complicated than it appears."
The company's in-house brand water has been labeled with deposit information for a while now, but some suppliers are still catching up with the new regulations. "This will be a transition period for both us and our customers," says McCarthy.
What do you think of the new water bottle deposit?
10/29/2009 7:25AM
Terry
It's a double edged sword. It is a money grab but will help the environment too. So be it.
10/29/2009 7:46AM
majortric
Stop calling this new fee a "Bottle Bill" - it's a tax increase - next time you hear a politician talk about keeping taxes at their current rate - get ready for more of these "bills" - you know what the next tax increase is don't you - new license plates - money is a politicians drug of choice.
10/29/2009 8:15AM
G
The WBEN poll needs a 4th choice: "I don't pay $50 a gallon for water".
10/29/2009 8:20AM
Brita
Will not buy bottled water anymore. Buy stock in Brita!
10/29/2009 8:25AM
Rus Thompson
This is Antione Thompsons Bill. Thank you senator.
10/29/2009 8:55AM
I
Keep voting in the same people, and don't be surprised when you get this trash. Paterson almost got a clue when he noticed the throngs of people leaving NY. But there won't be a change if we don't vote in fiscally responsible "representatives"!
10/29/2009 12:51PM
An Original Environmentalist
It saddens me to see people "suckered in" to support such things sold as "helping the environment" when it's just a tax increase. What a bunch of blind sheep we have become!
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