September 27, 2010
New, Hi-Tech Bottle Redemption Center To Open
This week Oregonians in Wood Village will test a new method of recycling bottles and cans.
Instead of setting them out at the curbside, or lugging them in sticky masses to the supermarket, residents can go to a new, hi-tech bottle redemption center.
The Legislature paved the way for this project back in 2009.
Lawmakers failed to expand the bottle bill, but they did agree to build four new recycling stations on a trial basis, where people could bring bottles and cans and get deposits back.
State Senator Mark Hass was on the committee that drafted the plan.
Mark Hass “It’s very bright, lime green, and it’s got these modern sort of hi-tech counters. Not dissimilar from ones outside big stores. Then there are a bunch of computer screens."
The idea is to take your bags of empties. You’ll receive a special debit card for your deposits.
Mark Hass “The computer screen is there for you to transfer your money to your checking account, or to keep it. It’s sort of like an indoor ATM.”
The cooperative funding the demo site includes grocers and recyclers, tired of the mess and expense of bottle redemption.
The Fred Meyer chain, for example, is an enthusiastic supporter. A company spokeswoman says it handles twice as many redeemed bottles and cans as it sells.
Hass says another pilot station in Oregon City is in the works.
The Legislature will likely revisit expansion of the bottle bill next session.
http://news.opb.org/article/14170-new-hi-tech-bottle-redemption-center-open/
