Updated on May 24, 2021 at 6:56 pm
California Grocers Association spokesman Nate Rose issued the following statement: While we are still reviewing SB 38, the grocery community is familiar with how the Oregon Bottle Bill works. We have not yet decided if it can work in California because what works in a state of 4 million people might not work in a state of 40 million. There are definitely pieces, like the bag drop program, that make sense, but overall, there are some fundamental differences between Oregon and California. The Association look forward to working with the author and stakeholders on this legislation, if it continues to move.
Readers respond: Fix or eliminate Bottle Drop oregonlive.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from oregonlive.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Readers respond: Bottle deposit program needs changes
Updated 6:30 AM;
The Oregon Bottle Bill isn’t what it used to be. When it began, it was for a noble purpose that most consumers believed in, and it was a fairly simple process. Consumers paid a deposit fee for canned and bottled drinks at the time of purchase and were reimbursed when the empties were returned to the store.
Since rules have changed for whether retailers have to accept cans and bottles, it has become increasingly difficult for consumers to return their cans and bottles for refund. Bottle Redemption Centers are so few, the recycling machines are prone to mechanical failure and the coronavirus has made them even less inviting places to be. Most consumers have little choice but to store their empty cans and bottles, which deprives them of the deposit money they are entitled to. Even more egregious is the “green bag” program which requires consumers to purchase bags and pay a processing fee.