For a while I’ve been thinking about ways that we as a nation can better help the homeless. I’ve ben extremely impressed with how much Massachusetts does to help these people who have been all but forgotten by society. I’ve think i’ve come up with a way to help them out that is feasible and would have a real effect.
What I propose is a 5 cent deposit on the containers of sodas, sports drinks, alcoholic beverages, and any other beverages that can be packaged in reusable containers. This could be nation wide or a state by state issue, my vote would be for a nationwide policy. Then the unclaimed deposits can be used to subsidize programs for the homeless. Right now what happens to the unclaimed deposit depends on the state, but in many cases the retailers can simply keep the deposit).
The program that is the simplest in my mind is this: Bottles and cans could be exchanged at state run shelters for goods and packaged food at a rate that is higher than 5 cents a bottle, say 6½ cents a bottle. This would have a number of positive effects.
- It would give the homeless greater buying power to meet their needs.
- It would de-incentivize the purchase of alcohol as alcohol would be effectively more expensive
- It would give the homeless access to goods they really need at lower costs.
- It would allow the state a way to monitor the homeless and to intervene in more cases
- If it were imposed nationally it would increase the national recycling rate while simultaneously reducing litter on the streets and overal collected waste.
- It would create a few jobs. People will need to build the depots, supply them and then work at them. While not many jobs would be created there would still be a few. If this were implemented in all major cities across the country there would be probably a few thousand jobs created.
- It would provide the homeless with more resources.
Just a thought I’ve been milling around for a while, what do you think?
