Executives at both companies have said they can't expand business without better recycling rates. They depend on a handful of states outside Georgia for most of the plastic supply. Petersen said one of several solutions the new coalition will consider will be bottle deposit laws, an age-old sore spot for the beverage industry. Coca-Cola and other soft drinks companies have strongly opposed such laws, now active in 10 states. The laws require a minimum refundable deposit on bottles and cans to ensure a high rate of recycling.
Consumers get their deposits back when they return the containers, which are sorted and recycled.
That typically shifts the cost of recycling to the beverage retailers and distributors.