DISCUS Backed Including Spirits Bottles in Calif.'s New Climate Measures

California legislators passed and sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom a package of climate bills including one extending the state's 10-cent bottle deposit fee to spirits and wine bottles.

The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. championed including spirits bottles in the legislation, arguing that "sustainable environmental practices are critical to the continued production of the high-quality spirits that consumers enjoy.

“Including our products in recycling programs that make it easy for consumers to return bottles and for producers to meet requirements is part of a continued effort to promote sustainability. We are proud to be a collaborative partner in efforts to enhance the California recycling program and look forward to the benefits this bill will produce,” Adam Smith, DISCUS vp-State Government Relations, said.

In support of wine and spirits businesses and to ensure compliance with consumer notification, SB1013 exempts wine and distilled spirits manufacturers from the requirement to provide samples of proposed labels or beverage containers to CalRecycle for approval. The bill has an effective date of July 1, 2024.

The bottle bill was controversial because some consumer advocacy groups argued that it's loaded with pork, including $300 million to glass container makers including Gallo Glass Co. , a unit of E& J Gallo Winery.

The bill includes a number of other provisions, including new restrictions on oil and gas drilling and a mandate California stop adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere by 2045.  The legislators also voted to extend the life of Diablo Canyon, California’s last nuclear power plant, by five years, a step once unthinkable to many environmentalists.  The plant is needed to to provide emissions-free electricity while other clean sources like wind and solar become viable.