2 days ago
Oregon updates Bottle Bill following safety concerns at retailers
PORTLAND, Ore. () — Following criticism of Oregon's Bottle Bill, officials have approved changes to the long-standing program.
Gov. Tina Kotek signed on Tuesday, allowing Oregon retailers to temporarily refuse bottle drops outside of the hours between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. The measure also calls on state leaders to establish
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Residents currently pay a 10-cent deposit for the beverage containers they purchase at retailers statewide. The Oregon Beverage Container Act was first passed in 1971 in an attempt to mitigate litter by giving people refunds for the beverages they return, according to the .
But more recently, community members have claimed the program attracts who want to quickly obtain cash to purchase drugs. Store owners have additionally alleged it poses a threat to staff members who work later hours.
Just last spring, Southwest 11th Avenue and Jefferson Street's Plaid Pantry and a nearby Safeway paused their bottle drop programs. Plaid Pantry President and CEO Jonathan Polonsky that employees would often quit due to safety concerns at the store that is open 24-7.
Now that SB 992 has taken effect, the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission is working to ensure residents can still access their deposits at participating retailers. The agency has also expanded the program to include wine and cider bottles with an ABV of more than 8.5%, along with sake and mead starting on July 1.
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'For over 50 years, Oregon's Bottle Bill has helped keep our state green and litter-free,' Chair Dennis Doherty said during Thursday's commission meeting. 'The OLCC is proud of the role we play in making the Bottle Bill work. With today's significant changes, we will ensure that our pioneering system will continue to serve communities across our state for years to come.'
The temporary rules established by the new legislation are set to expire on Dec. 2. Regulators plan to hear the public's feedback on the changes before permanently enforcing them later this year.
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