Could 5 or 10 cents entice you to recycle that empty pop can or wine bottle sitting in your trash bin?
Representatives of Indiana's leading aluminum and glass companies believe it would.
They told a panel of state lawmakers Wednesday that Indiana could boost its recycling rate from less than half of Hoosiers recycling to near 90 percent by requiring an upfront deposit be paid when recyclable containers are sold that would be refunded when the empty container is returned.
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Republican lawmakers on the Environmental Quality Service Council were skeptical of whether Hoosiers would embrace a deposit law, suggesting it involves too much government interference in the economy and could be seen as a tax increase.
At the same time, state Sen. Frank Mrvan, D-Hammond, said he believes a deposit program would be logistically difficult to implement.
But supporters aren't giving up.
Carey Hamilton, executive director of the Indiana Recycling Commission, said failing to recycle isn't only wasteful but also hurts the state's economy.
"We have a great opportunity to create jobs by recycling more," Hamilton said. "We're throwing away those jobs right now."
