June 17, 2008
Distributors, grocers propose bottle, can redemption centers
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) _ Ever since Oregon became the first state to require a nickel deposit on beer and soft drink containers, consumers have taken their empties back to stores, resulting in a container recycling rate of about 80 percent.
Now large grocers and beverage distributors want to send most people returning their containers to separate redemption centers instead.
The plan calls for 90 such industry-financed centers to take the burden off of about 250 of the state's 300 large grocery stores. Those stores handle about three quarters of the containers recycled in Oregon each year.
Beginning January first, a nickel deposit will be added to water bottles sold in Oregon.
Recycling advocates say they worry that such centers would make recycling inconvenient, reducing Oregon's return rate, which is among the highest in the nation.
Environmental Oregon lobbyist Jeremiah Baumann says his organization has no problem with the centers if small-scale recyclers still can redeem their containers at grocery stores.
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