Ever since Oregon became the first state in the nation to adopt a Bottle Bill—putting that 5-cent refundable deposit on beer and pop bottles—we have maintained some of the highest recycling rates in the nation. That’s thanks in large part to excellent recycling programs, from curbside recycling to plastics recycling.
And the work that Oregonians have put in has paid off—litter rates have dropped dramatically and we’re saving natural resources and cutting the energy use that goes into manufacturing products from raw materials.
Environment Oregon is working to expand Oregon’s leadership on recycling in two areas.
Updating the Bottle Bill
The Bottle Bill was the law that started it all, but it hasn’t kept up with the times. The refundable deposit only applies to carbonated beverages, so water and juice drinks aren’t covered. Environment Oregon is working to convince the Legislature to expand and update the Bottle Bill.
Electronic Waste
New electronics products seem to come on the market every other day—and they are one of our country’s fastest growing waste streams. They
also contain toxic materials. Environment Oregon is working to
establish a pioneering program that will offer free and convenient
collection of used computers and TVs for re-use and recycling, paid for
by the manufacturers of the products.
