Green Lining to the Economy

Yesterday I pointed out how the totally awesome Christmas sales, as retailers try to get their numbers above the "abysmal" level, are one silver lining to the economic cloud. Cheap crap all around!

It turns out that's not all. There's also a silvery-green lining for the environment. In Massachusetts, where there's a bottle and can deposit,

Every year since 1998, consumers have purchased about 2 billion redeemable cans and bottles in the state. During that time, the rate of return has been dropping - from 72.4 percent in 1998 to 65.8 percent in 2007. But retailers who own liquor stores and redemption centers say they're seeing new faces and increased returns. Also, more organizations have found that returning empties brings revenue.

"I've seen an increase of 10 percent over the last year. People don't have the money they used to have," said Chris Palazola, who owns Chrispy's Liquors in Beverly. "I see all walks of life - professionals right down to the homeless. Now, the working class are the new people who are bringing them in."

First, rising gas prices decreased miles driven. Now, economic crisis and widespread financial insecurity increases recycling. Awesome!

(Or, you know, we could try to fix the economy and the environment both...)