June 19, 2009
Gresham may be home to recycling center
If a lease arrangement comes through, Gresham-area residents will cart their recyclable materials to a single, centralized spot rather than local supermarkets.
A private firm is in the process of leasing the former Scion dealership property at 975 N.E. Hogan Drive to use as a deposit container redemption center, the first such facility in the state.
If successful, Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative officials envision an additional 90 redemption centers throughout Oregon, according to Alisa Shifflett, project manager for the cooperative.
The center will have customer service staff to hand-count deposit containers as well as “improved” self-service machines, she says. Additionally, the facility will offer “drop and go” services to residents who set up accounts with the center for faster service.
The cooperative expects to sign a lease on the property in a matter of days, and hopes to be in operation by mid-August, Shifflett said.
Once the operation’s in place, major beverage retailers within one-and-a-half miles of the center – including Fred Meyer, Safeway, Winco, and Albertson’s – will no longer accept deposit containers for redemption.
The Oregon Liquor Control Commission has posted public comment notices at each of these retail locations, alerting customers to the proposed changes.
Dan Blue, recycling and solid waste manager with the city of Gresham, said the system appears promising.
“Ultimately, I think it’s a good thing,” he said. “I think there will be opportunities at the center for residents to donate to local schools and charities, and the cooperative group has indicated interest in doing collection events.”
Blue praised innovations the cooperative has proposed, such as having customer service staff on hand to count containers or a “drop off and go” option.
http://www.theoutlookonline.com/news/story.php?story_id=124545870659343900
