Bill Would Exempt Booze Pouches From Bottle Law

LANSING (AP) - The Michigan Senate has passed a bill making new flexible alcohol pouches exempt from the state's bottle deposit law.

On a 36-2 vote Tuesday, the Senate approved the measure that previously cleared the House. It now goes to Gov. Rick Snyder for his signature.

Critics say the measure would give bottlers a 10-cent incentive to move to the laminated-foil plastic pouches rather than using aluminum and glass containers. The pouches aren't recyclable.

The bill is in response to an analysis by the state Treasury Department, which said the flexible containers must be returned under Michigan's 1976 bottle law.

Supporters of the bill say the pouches and some biodegradable containers are a hardship on grocers who'd have to deal with them as returnables.

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