Bottle Bill Law in Oregon
The Oregon Beverage Container Act was implemented in October 1972. Under the law, consumers pay a 5-cent container deposit when they buy beer and soft drinks. Consumers can return the containers to stores and receive a refund of the 5-cent deposit.
In 2007, the Oregon Legislature expanded the Bottle Bill by adding a 5-cent refund value to water and flavored water beverage containers, which went into effect on January 1, 2009. The 2007 legislation also created a task force to study and make recommendations on bottle bill matters, such as whether the state should add other beverage containers, raise the refund value, or establish new redemption centers.
The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) administers and enforces the Oregon bottle bill. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality compiles information on recycling of containers under the bottle bill and the effectiveness of bottle bill options implemented in other states and provinces.
Read text of the Law.
Update: HB 3704, which allows for beverage container distributor cooperatives by two or more distributors or importers, has been vetoed by the Governor on the premise that it would make bottle recycling less convenient.
Review frequently asked questions about Oregon's bottle bill.
For OLCC Bottle Bill questions, contact:
- Consumer questions - Jan Smith, 503-872-5217; jan.smith@state.or.us
- Questions from retailers, distributors, wholesalers and manufacturers - Lynne Johnson, 503-872-5188; lynne.johnson@state.or.us
- Oregon Liquor Control Commission Oregon's Bottle Bill Web page
For Policy questions, contact:
- Palmer Mason, DEQ Legislative Analyst, 503-229-6800, toll-free in OR at 1-800-452-4011, x6800 or mason.palmer@deq.state.or.us
For Bottle recycling data and bottle bill development, contact:
- Peter Spendelow, DEQ Solid Waste Analyst, Portland, 503-229-5253, toll-free in OR at 1-800-452-4011, x5253 or spendelow.peter@deq.state.or.us.
