Washington Residents Could Face Fines for Redeeming Bottles in Oregon

SEATTLE (Waste 360): State lawmakers in Oregon are working to pass a bill to deter people from out of state from redeeming their bottles and cans in Oregon.

Senate Bill 522, which already passed through the house and senate, has been sent to Governor Kate Brown, KEPR reports. The bill would create a fine of up to $250 for out-of-state people who try to return more than 50 containers in Oregon. Out-of-state people, however, will still be able to redeem bottles if they can demonstrate they purchased them from Oregon.

The report notes that since Oregon’s bottle deposit jumped to 10 cents, the number of returns spiked, as did the number of people from Washington trying to return bottles in Oregon. The Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative claims this has become a problem because people in Washington don’t pay a deposit when buying beverages in recyclable containers.

Oregon lawmakers are trying to deter people from Washington from recycling their bottles and cans in Oregon -- by imposing a hefty fine.

Senate Bill 522 is currently on Governor Kate Brown’s desk. It passed through the house and senate by big margins in April and May.

The bill would create a fine of up to $250 for people who try to return more than 50 containers that they know come from out of state. It would also be considered a Class D Violation. People from Washington will still be able to redeem bottles if they can demonstrate they purchased it from Oregon.

Courtesy: https://www.waste360.com