April 6, 2011
DemocratHerald.com
Editorial
Bottle Bill again
As usual, the legislature is considering a bill intended to modernize Oregon’s Bottle Bill. And as usual, modernizing it is the last thing it would do.
The Oregon Natural Resources Council says the bill, HB 3145, “merges the intent of the original bottle bill with modern-day realities by adding beverage containers, such as sports drinks and teas, that didn’t exist when the bill originally passed. A deposit on more containers increases the likelihood they are recycled instead of being sent to the landfill, or littering Oregon’s natural areas.”
Another thing that has changed since the law was adopted in 1971 is that everybody in the state now has curbside recycling at home. If lawmakers were interested in reducing the cost and increasing the convenience to taxpayers, they would repeal the deposit on all containers and prohibit putting cans and bottles in the trash.
The same percentage of containers as now would likely be recycled, but life in Oregon would be simpler and cost less. (hh)
http://www.democratherald.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_c15f2ce4-6068-11e0-9bd6-001cc4c03286.html
