March 20, 2009
News Watch 12
Ore. Legislature considers changes to Bottle Bill
MEDFORD, Ore. -- The Legislature is looking at revamping Oregon's 38-year-old Bottle Bill by possibly doubling the nickel deposit, adding "redemption centers" relax demands on grocery stores, and requiring deposits on more containers like sports drinks, juice drinks, bottled coffees and teas.
Supporters say the changes would result in more containers being recycled, and problems with grocery-store recycling machines, including breakdowns and long lines, discourage returns.
Grocery stores and distributors' representatives want to delay discussion of bottle bill additions until 2011 because the return system needs time to absorb the Jan. 1 addition of water bottles.
"We just got into taking care of the water bottles. And I think, we're feeling some growing pains from that. I think that's fine, but I think that we need to take a look at some recycling centers to take some of the pressure off grocery stores," says Food for Less Store Manager Terry Allphin.
Allphin says having a recycling co-op in the area to ensure containers are picked up often has helped ease the transition into water bottles. He says Food for Less handles 3,000 to 5,000 returnable containers for refund daily.
A state House committee has begun sorting through amendments of the bill introduced by Gov. Ted Kulongoski.
Video available at http://kdrv.com/news/local/100150
