Oregon is Revamping it's Famed Bottle Bill

Oregon was the first state to require that carbonated beverages include a deposit and refund.Now many years later it is common place in most states. But we are a sate that doesn't like to sit still. We recycle just about everything and the powers that be have decided that our Bottle Bill needs improving.

According to an article by Aaron Clark, an AP writer, as reported at KGW.com, the bill before the House committee on Energy and the Environment would require beverage distributors to include a 5-cent premium on all "water and flavored water" containers.  

Grocers are up in arms as they would also be required to store the new bottles even if they didn't sell the brand. Currently grocers are only asked to provide refunds if they sell the brand. Their concern is that they won't get reimbursed and that the empties will end up in the land fill anyway.

Environmentalists are concerned that the bill doesn't go far enough as the current refund of $.05 hasn't been changed since 1971 and is no longer much of a financial incentive.

It will be interesting to see where this goes and how long it takes other states to follow. In my travels I've been amazed at how dirty some states are and at the extent of bottles and cans along the highway. While this isn't a cure-all, it helps.