Massachusetts’ bottle bill currently requires deposits only on soda and beer bottles and cans. However, lawmakers are trying to expand the 5-cent deposit to also include sport drink and bottled water bottles, as well as other beverage containers.

Almost half of the cities and towns in Massachusetts have passed resolutions supporting the expansion and a recent poll found that 77 percent of the public supports it.

About 80 percent of soda and other containers covered under the existing bottle deposit law are redeemed or recycled but only an estimated 22 percent of other uncovered bottles are recycled. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection said municipalities could save a combined $7 million a year in avoided trash costs under expected improvements in recycling.

The bill would also re-establish a Clean Environment Fund so that unreturned deposit money can be set aside for recycling and environmental projects and boost a fee that beverage distributors pay to bottle redemption centers.