Marlon Pitter
Connector Editor
The Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group (MASSPIRG) exceeded their expectations last semester for the “Bigger Better Bottle Bill” petition, but their efforts to increase recycling are far from over.
The original Bottle Bill, created by MASSPIRG in 1982, currently does not cover non-carbonated beverages, such as sports drinks and bottled water. As a result, more than one billion plastic bottles each year are thrown into landfills or burned in incinerators, according to masspirg.org.
MASSPIRG’s petition to update the Bottle Bill collected 130,000 signatures statewide, exceeding its goal of 100,000. UMass Lowell contributed 4,600 names.
The UMass Lowell MASSPIRG chapter recently followed the collection of signatures with a photo petition, in which pictures were taken of supporters of the bill in an effort to put faces to names.
Bottle Bill Campaign Organizer Michael Zajac called the updated bill proposal the “most effective” recycling program. “It’s a matter of common sense and public interest,” Zajac said.
Spreading the word
Keeping the bill visible to the public has been a “behind the scenes battle” according to Zajac, but he wants to prove that it “hasn’t gone away” and “keep it fresh.”
“We’re going to start talking to more influential people and doing more visible stuff,” Zajac said.
As a freshman, Zajac has already met with Chancellor Martin Meehan and Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and University Events Larry Siegel about improving the Bottle Bill and they both seem to be on board.
Zajac has also spent numerous hours petitioning in front of supermarkets, like Market Basket, informing the public about MASSPIRG’s goals and gaining signatures for “a good cause.”
New MASSPIRG volunteer Michaela Fitzgerald believes more awareness of the bill on campus would be beneficial. As a civil and environment engineering major, and someone who spends most of her time on North Campus, Fitzgerald claimed a greater “focus on North” would be appreciated.
Zajac and MASSPIRG will continue to spread awareness through “table events,” most of which will take place on the second floor of McGauvran Hall to attract additional volunteers.
What’s next?
According to Campus Organizer Matthew Wellington, MASSPIRG will continue informing the masses with the “Bottle Bill Tour” on March 5 and 6 and a “Letter to the Editor party.”
The petition tables will make regular appearances in McGauvran Hall, making it easy for willing volunteers to sign up and get involved.
“Doing things like this on a college campus is great because college campuses are made up of real people, and people talking to people is how things get started. We’re just trying to advocate for important things and get people riled up,” Zajac said.
