Kitzhaber signs bottle deposit revamp bill


Gov. John Kitzhaber signed a bill that revamps Oregon’s bottle deposit system, making the bill apply to every glass, metal and plastic bottle.

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Gov. John Kitzhaber signed a bill that revamps Oregon’s bottle deposit system, making the bill apply to every glass, metal and plastic bottle.

 

Oregon’s so-called bottle bill is credited with significantly boosting recycling in Oregon and in the nine other states that eventually adopted variations. But proponents say it’s time to modernize the 40-year-old bill, which requires a deposit for plastic water and soda bottles but not for nearly identical iced tea bottles.

The change could also result in a hike of the deposit, from a nickel to a dime, if redemption falls below 80 percent for two consecutive years. It’s currently just below that level.

“By making more of these containers eligible for redemption, we’re going to have a significant impact not just on our roadways and in our landfills but also increase our recycling rate,” Kitzhaber said before signing the bill in his ceremonial office at the state Capitol.

Read more at Businessweek.

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