PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Following criticism of Oregon’s Bottle Bill, officials have approved changes to the long-standing program.
Gov. Tina Kotek signed Senate Bill 992 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 “Alternative Access Redemption Centers.”
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 Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
But more recently, community members have claimed the program attracts “addicts” who want to qui