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News Release
May 25, 2011
CONTACT: Molly Woon (503) 986-1074
Senate approves 21st century bottle bill update
HB 3145 will expand and modernize Oregon’s pioneering bottle bill
SALEM – The Oregon Senate approved legislation this morning that will update Oregon’s 40-year-old bottle bill law. House Bill 3145 significantly expands the types of containers subject to the five cent deposit, sets a threshold for increasing the deposit to ten cents, and sets up a major redemption pilot project.
“Our bottle bill has successfully kept beer cans and pop bottles off our roadways and beaches for 40 years,” said Senator Mark Hass (D-Beaverton), chief sponsor of the bill. “Like a lot of us who hit middle age, we have to adjust with the times, yet we have to stay true to who we are. The Bottle Bill is not just words on paper. It is a symbol of what it means to be an Oregonian.”
Since its passage in 1971, Oregon’s bottle bill has resulted in the return of over 3 billion containers, helped discourage litter, and prevented waste from ending up in landfills. It has served as a national model for bottle redemption in states from Vermont to Hawaii.
“Oregon is a national leader when it comes to recycling in large part because of our pioneering bottle deposit system,” said Senator Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland), chair of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee. “Even with this national reputation, we can do better. Our rate of redemption was once as high as 90 percent, but today that number has dropped to 75 percent. HB 3145 will help us recycle a greater variety and greater volume of bottles and cans.”
Approximately 171 million non-deposit juices, teas, coffees, and sports drinks are sold in Oregon annually. Currently, about one third of those are recycled. By comparison, identical containers with a deposit have much higher rate of recycling.
“When you are an Oregonian, you clean up your campsite before you leave. With today’s vote, Oregon has made a commitment to leave her campsite clean for future generations,” said Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem/Woodburn/Gervais).
Specifically, HB 3145 does three primary things:
· Expands the deposit container list to cover most beverage containers. No later than 2018, beverages between four ounces and 1.5 liters will require a deposit with the exception of wine, liquor, milk, and infant formula.
· Increases the bottle deposit from 5 to 10 cents, but only if the redemption rate is below 80 percent for two consecutive calendar years, and no sooner than 2017.
· Permits a one-time pilot project for a larger redemption center than is possible under existing law and rules. This pilot redemption center will serve up to a 3 mile radius, with stores in the outer ring (1.5-3 miles) required to continue taking back up to 24 containers per person daily at their store.
House Bill 3145 was introduced in the House by Representatives Vicki Berger (R-Salem) and Ben Cannon (D-Portland). The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature.
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For more information on the Senate Majority Caucus, please visit oregonsenatedemocrats.com