Many of you are aware that the state of Oregon recently amended its Bottle Bill so that effective January 1, 2009, the purchase of bottled water began requiring a 5-cent deposit per bottle. Including this new addition, Oregon's Bottle Bill now covers beer, other malt beverages, carbonated mineral waters and carbonated soft drinks. It does not cover juice, teas, wine, liquor, dairy, or other non-carbonated drinks or beverages. Some carbonated sports drinks and juices are considered "soft drinks" and may be covered.

Here's how the system works:

• Manufacturers, importers or distributors who sell covered beverages in Oregon must label them so that the 5-cent refund value is clearly visible.
• Stores must pay a 5-cent refund for each covered empty container returned, with some exceptions: Beverage containers that visibly contain or are contaminated by a substance other than water, residue of the original contents or ordinary dust may be refused. Containers that are so damaged that the brand or refund label cannot be identified may also be refused.
• Stores may refuse to accept more than 144 containers from one person per day. (The 2007 legislation created a 50-container limit for stores with less than 5,000 square feet of space).
• Distributors must pay stores the 5-cent refund value for each covered container returned to the distributor for recycling.
• Deposits on containers not returned for refund (unredeemed deposits) are kept by the distributors.

Jennie Day Burget

Public Information Officer