WORCESTER, MA – Environmental advocates from across Massachusetts today launched a consumer boycott of Polar Beverages, accusing the company of using its political influence to stall a Bottle Bill modernization effort with broad public support. Organizers are encouraging consumers to choose alternative beverage brands in an effort to get Polar to end its opposition to expanding the program.
The boycott was announced during a rally outside Polar Beverages’ Worcester headquarters, where supporters on behalf of about two dozen organizations gathered carrying signs reading “This is unBEARable!”
Advocates say Polar has been one of the most influential corporate opponents of expanding Massachusetts’ Bottle Bill, which has not been significantly updated since it was enacted more than 40 years ago. Modernizing the law would increase recycling, reduce litter, and save cities and towns $26-$36 million in waste management costs.
“Massachusetts has the lowest redemption rate of any state with a deposit return program because our Bottle Bill hasn’t kept pace with today’s beverage market,” said Kirstie Pecci, Executive Director at Just Zero. “Modernizing the law would save taxpayers millions each year. This summer, we’re asking consumers to send a message to Polar Beverages and legislators by choosing other brands.”
A proposal to modernize the law failed at the ballot in 2014 after opponents – led largely by the American Beverage Association – spent more than $8 million campaigning against it. Environmental groups say the association and its members, including Polar, have continued lobbying against expansion efforts.
Yet, public support for the measure is strong, with a 2024 statewide poll finding that most registered voters support modernizing the Bottle Bill, including strong bipartisan majorities.
“More than 80% of Massachusetts voters support modernizing the Bottle Bill, across party lines,” said Barb Heffner, MetroWest Climate Solutions. “Yet, Polar Beverages’ political influence continues to stand in the way of a policy that residents overwhelmingly want.”
“Plastic beverage containers remain some of the most common litter across our communities and waterways, and an updated Bottle Bill would drastically reduce that pollution,” said Eileen Ryan, Beyond Plastics Greater Boston. “It would also save municipalities money and hold companies like Polar accountable for blocking meaningful progress.”
“The success of North Adams’ nip bottle redemption program, which brought in 60,000 nip bottles in only six months, shows people want these containers off our streets and back into a recycling system,” said Susan Abrams, Beyond Plastics Berkshires. “It’s time for legislators to listen to their constituents – not beverage companies.”
“It’s unBEARable that companies like Polar continue to fund efforts to block updates to the Bottle Bill,” said Sheila Burkus, Mothers Out Front. “Modernizing the law would reduce litter, increase recycling, and save cities and towns money. The public supports it. Now lawmakers must act.”
The coalition said the boycott will continue throughout the summer as lawmakers consider legislation to modernize the Bottle Bill. You can learn more and take action at bottlebillma.org.
Just Zero is leading the effort, along with many members of Plastic Free Mass. A complete list of organizations supporting the boycott is included below.
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Supporting Organizations
- Alliance of Climate and Environmental Stewards
- USNF Climate Action Group
- Climate Action Now Western Massachusetts
- Friends of the Malden River
- Elders Climate Action Massachusetts Chapter
- Charles River Watershed Association
- The Climate Reality Project Massachusetts Chapter
- Clean Water Action
- Just Zero
- Greater Boston Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility (GBPSR)
- Healthy Kids
- Mothers Out Front
- Mystic River Watershed Association
- Templeton Community Against Toxic Waste
- Beyond Plastics Greater Boston
- MetroWest Climate Solutions
- Seaside Sustainability
- Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT)
- Be the Solution to Pollution
- Quincy Climate Action Network
- UUMass Action
- Progressive Democrats of Massachusetts
- Slingshot
- Sustainable Wellesley