SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The latest data released by the Oregon Beverage and Recycling Cooperative (OBRC) indicates that its Bottle Bill program reached a new milestone during 2022.
For the first time since the launch of the Bottle Bill recycling program, Oregon residents returned more than two billion beverage containers. The program paid out in excess of $205 million to consumers and local nonprofits during the year. Also, the program recorded yet another milestone by recording highest redemption rate in the entire nation. The redemption rate surged higher from 80.6% to 88.5% last year, at a time when the redemption rate across the country stood at mere 35%.
According to Jules Bailey, President and CEO, ORBC, the bottle redemption program charges a 10-cent fee when redeemable containers are purchased by consumers, but they are refunded with the money when the empty containers are returned to redemption centres and participating outlets. The State of Oregon offers a lot of incentives to return bottles and cans, Bailey added.
Currently, there are 94 drop off locations across the state. The program aims to raise the number of active locations to 100 by June this year, by expanding in The Dallas, Prineville and Ashland.
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