Aluminum Association Applauds New York Law to Encourage Sale of Aluminum Bottles

ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Aluminum Association today applauded the New York State Legislature on its passage of a bill that will permit the sale of aluminum bottles in the state.

The bill, just signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo, reverses a little-known provision contained in the state's 1982 Bottle Bill that prohibits the sale of metal beverage containers that have detachable caps. Designed to discourage the sale of cans that used detachable pulltabs, the law also technically prohibited the sale of aluminum bottles with crown caps or screw caps.

Aluminum bottles have been sold in New York, as in the rest of the country, for almost a decade, as the provision's catch-all effect went unnoticed. Representatives of MillerCoors earlier this year notified New York legislators of the 1982 bill's unintended effect, and state Senator Mark Grisanti subsequently introduced legislation to formally exempt aluminum bottles from the 1982 bill's language with regard to detachable caps.

"We applaud the New York State Legislature for its good sense in amending the language of the 1982 Bottle Bill," said Steve Larkin, President of the Aluminum Association. "Aluminum bottles are among the most exciting and environmentally friendly beverage package on the market today. We're gratified that residents of the Empire State will continue to be able to enjoy their drinks from these popular containers."

Aluminum bottles were first introduced in the U.S. in 2001. Available both as an impact extruded bottle with crown cap and as a drawn wall ironed can with screw cap, the containers have since been used to package everything from soda to juice, beer, and wine.

Both aluminum bottles and bottle-cans have proven immensely popular with consumers as a result of their lightweight, quick-chilling, and 100% recyclable characteristics. The containers have won numerous industry plaudits, including multiple "Cans of the Year" awards.

The Aluminum Association, based in Arlington, Virginia, works globally to aggressively promote aluminum as the most sustainable and recyclable automotive, packaging and construction material in today's market. The Association represents U.S. and foreign-based primary producers of aluminum, aluminum recyclers and producers of fabricated products, as well as industry suppliers. Member companies operate more than 200 plants in the United States, with many conducting business worldwide.    

Steve Gardner
703.358.2975
[email protected]

SOURCE The Aluminum Association