01/22 (LWN-Commentary) President Barack Obama has expressed interest in creating new jobs that promote energy self-sufficiency and pollution reduction. Although this often brings to mind biodiesel plants and solar panel factories, another possibility is to expand bottle redemption.

In the past, most beverages were sold in durable glass bottles, many of which were sanitized and reused. Now too many containers end up in the incinerator or shattered alongside roadways. At the same time, massive amounts of electricity are being used to manufacture new containers, especially those made of aluminum.

Of the fifty states, only eleven have bottle redemption laws. By mandating bottle redemption in all states, the federal govt. could help limit the waste of aluminum, plastic, and glass, while reducing litter. At the same time, many jobs would be created as redemption centers appear, with vacant storefronts gaining new tenants. In states with bottle laws, most towns of any size have at least one redemption center.

If the high unemployment rate is to be corrected and the enormous waste of natural resources put on a slower pace, we must make serious changes of this type. As the economic situation continues to worsen, such reforms will be more and more difficult to pursue.