State Update

Maine: Amendment Expected to Increase Efficiency of State's Bottle Bill

AUGUSTA -- A recent amendment to Maine's 27-year old bottle bill changes the playing field and allows for operational efficiencies in the recovery of deposit containers.
First, as in most deposit laws, Maine's current law requires distributors to collect their products from retailers and redemption centers.  Amendment LD 985, sponsored by Sen. John Martin (D-Aroostook County), and signed into law on June 25, 2003 by Gov. John Elias Baldacci, provides a mechanism by which two or more deposit initiators (manufacturers and distributors) can enter into "commingling agreements" that would allow all containers of the same material, size, and product group, i.e., 12-ounce aluminum beer cans or 20-ounce plastic soda bottles, to be "commingled" either manually, or through the use of reverse vending machines (RVM)s.
Further, this amendment updates the 27-year old law to include language that refers to the now "mainstreamed" RVMs.  In the past, distributors approved the return system; now, retailers and redemption centers are able to choose between manual redemption or RVMs based on their needs.  The abil

Oregon: At 31, State Bottle Bill In Need of a Little Botox

SALEM -- A bill introduced this year by Rep. Vicki Berger (R-Salem) would have created a one-year study to evaluate the issue of unredeemed deposits.  The bill was voted out of the house unanimously, but died in the senate without a hearing.  Berger, the daughter of Richard Chambers, who wrote the nation's first bottle bill, is supportive of updating Oregon's bottle bill to include non-carbonated beverages. 
"After 30 years the Bottle Bill could use a little Botox to get the wrinkles out", said Berger.  I was hoping to find a funding source for this upgrade in the money left behind from the unredeemed bottles and cans.   We will get there!  Orego