Group wants deposits on bottles, cans

COLUMBUS

Cleveland group has resubmitted paperwork to the attorney general’s office proposing a constitutional amendment that would require deposits on bottles, cans and other containers.

A comparable petition was rejected earlier this year because backers didn’t have enough valid signatures to continue the process. Elections officials are checking the new submission to determine if it meets the 1,000-signature requirement.

The proposed “Bottle Bill for Ohio” calls for refundable deposits of 5-10 cents for “closed glass, metal and plastic containers.” Deposit information would have to be clearly marked, and containers would be returned to designated recycling centers for refunds.

The proposed amendment also calls for refunds paid to the state “to be used to lower health insurance and car insurance costs.”

Ohio voters overwhelmingly defeated a proposed constitutional amendment requiring deposits on bottles and cans in 1979, with 2 million of 2.9 million ballots cast opposing the move.