PROVIDENCE — A new poll of registered voters in Rhode Island finds that most support the creation of a deposit return system for beverage containers, better known as a bottle bill.

The poll was conducted by the Washington, D.C.-based Mellman Group. It was paid for by Save The Bay, the Can Manufacturers Institute, and Clean Water Action.

Among the poll’s findings:

There is widespread concern about litter and waste along the Ocean State’s coastline and in local marine waters (85%), with 65% saying it is of “great concern” to them.

Nearly three-quarters (71%) are concerned that “Rhode Island’s recycling system is not working.” Similarly, 73% are concerned that the Central Landfill in Johnston is nearing capacity.

After hearing arguments from both sides, a healthy majority (58% to 31%) supports a bottle bill.

Most voters said they are likely to return their empty beverage containers. When told where redemption centers would be located, 57% said they were likely to participate — 38% said they were unlikely.

“Rhode Islanders are tired of seeing single-use beverage containers littering our streets and our shoreline,” Jed Thorp, Save The Bay’s director of advocacy, said. “These poll results show that Rhode Islanders support the adoption of a bottle bill and that they’re likely to return their empty containers once a system is in place.”

International Coastal Cleanups coordinated by Save The Bay have identified single-use beverage containers as one of the top pieces of trash collected. Last year, 2,733 volunteers collected 114,914 total pieces of trash, including 25,276 pieces of trash from single-use beverage containers.

A growing coalition of environmental organizations, industry trade groups, and beverage brands are pressing the General Assembly to pass a bottle bill this year. Proponents say bottle bills are a proven and effective policy to reduce litter.

A 20-member special joint legislative commission to study options for reducing waste and litter from beverage containers has been meeting since September 2023. That study commission is close to concluding its work and making recommendations to the General Assembly.

“The problems of beverage container litter and plastic pollution are only getting worse,” said Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee, D-South Kingstown, co-chair of the study commission. “Based on what we’ve heard, I believe we can come up with a bottle bill system that will help our environment while not being a burden to businesses or consumers.”

Poll results are based on a sample of 400 registered voters in Rhode Island. Interviews were conducted Feb. 4-10.