Keith Martin, Sandeep Divekar, and Larry Cusack express their admiration for the Oregon bottle bill. However, they believe that since its creation in 1971, the world has undergone significant changes and that the bill needs to be updated to align with the current times.
We are thrilled that Gov. Tina Kotek has extended the temporary suspension of cans-for-cash at the Safeway and Plaid Pantry locations near SW 10th and Jefferson for an additional month.
Martin, in an interview with KOIN 6 News, expressed his satisfaction with the decision to implement the 30-day plan, stating that it demonstrates a genuine commitment to the well-being of the local community.
According to residents in the area, the presence of the initiative has had a significant impact on reducing the prevalence of drug use and the dealing of fentanyl. The initiative has effectively lessened the number of people involved in these activities, making the area safer for all residents.
Divekar noted that there was an immediate shift in the neighborhood as soon as that change took place.
Cusack concurred, stating, “It had a significant impact.”
During the period of the temporary suspension, nearby residents have noticed that the area surrounding the grocery store has remained clean and quiet. However, as the suspension is only temporary and the store has simply relocated a few blocks away, they believe it is necessary to start considering some adjustments to Oregon’s bottle bill.
They proposed several suggestions to address the issue. One suggestion was to relocate individual redemption sites to industrial areas. Another suggestion was to limit the hours for non-bagged redemption at stores from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Additionally, they recommended that the money obtained through redemption should only be eligible for groceries, in order to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands, as Divekar pointed out, such as drug dealers.
According to the president of Plaid Pantry, the problems associated with in-store bottle recycling are negatively impacting his staff, especially those who work overnight.
Plaid Pantry operates round the clock, providing convenience to its customers at any time of the day. According to Jonathan Polonsky, the overnight staff often find themselves inundated with multiple individuals seeking to exchange bottles for cash simultaneously.
Martin expressed his dissatisfaction with the idea of burdening a clerk with the task of handling cash for cans at 2 in the morning.
These downtown residents believe that making adjustments to the bottle bill will enhance public safety.
According to Martin, the primary purpose of the bottle bill was to promote recycling, which it has successfully achieved. However, it was never intended to serve as a means of income for drug addicts.
Divekar mentioned that the original purpose of implementing the bottle bill was to reduce littering rather than to support individuals who rely on collecting cans as a means of livelihood. This aspect also deserves further consideration.
Oregon lawmakers’ stance on this type of change remains uncertain.
A few weeks ago, when KOIN 6 News inquired about the possibility of making changes to the bottle bill, the governor’s office denied any serious discussions on the matter. According to them, while these spots were acknowledged as problematic, sites throughout the state were functioning effectively.
The president of Plaid Pantry recently voiced their support for similar changes.
Individual bottles will once again be accepted at the sites starting from May 1.