Environment: The Battle of the Bottle

In Boston, a new law requires returnable soft drink containers

Revolted by a steadily increasing torrent of trash, Massachusetts environmentalists have lobbied for years to get a bill on the books requiring returnable beverage cans and bottles. Back in 1979, the first time they succeeded in getting a bill through the state legislature, Governor Edward King vetoed it. When the measure was passed again last September, King cast a second veto. But this time the state house of representatives overrode the veto. And last week the Massachusetts senate voted 29 to 10 to override the Governor too.

The new law, which will take...