Advocates in New York are trying to build momentum for a bill that would once again expand New York's bottle deposit law, touting the backing of 150 community groups in the state that want to see the measure included in a final budget deal in the next two months. 

At the same time, The New York Public Interest Research Group highlighted the backing of 71% of New Yorkers surveyed by Siena College released this month. 

The survey conducted this month found most voters, 58% to 32%, believe the existing bottle law has been good for the state. 

The poll of 821 New York voters has a margin of error of 4.3 percentage points. 

The proposal to broaden the existing law would expand New York's bottle redemption law by allowing for more types of beverage containers to be covered, such as wine and liquor. The measure would also increase the amount of the deposit from 5 cents to 10 cents. 

Michigan and Oregon have increased their bottle deposit redemption rates and have seen recycling increase as a result, NYPIRG said. 

“Siena’s polling shows that New Yorkers are proud of the Bottle Bill. After 40 years as the state’s most effective litter prevention and enhanced recycling the Bottle Bill is not over the hill, it’s over the landfill,” said Ryan Thoresen Carson, the environmental campaign coordinator with NYPIRG. “The waste crisis is becoming dire. Microplastic pollution has been detected in human blood for the first time, with scientists finding the tiny particles in almost 80% of the people tested. In the face of New York’s mounting solid waste crisis, the state must boost its recycling and waste reduction efforts. A modernized Bottle Bill achieves both of those important goals and has a 40-year track record of success.”

The current bottle law was first enacted in 1983. Supporters have touted its success as recycling rose following the measure's passage, with states more likely to reduce plastic waste that have such laws in place.