Keith Martin, Sandeep Divekar, and Larry Cusack express their admiration for the Oregon bottle bill. However, they believe that the bill needs to be updated to reflect the current world we live in, considering it was established back in 1971.
The community is 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.
“I was extremely delighted to learn about the decision to implement the 30-day plan as it demonstrates a strong commitment to prioritize the well-being of our community,” expressed Martin in an interview with KOIN 6 News.
According to residents in the area, the presence of law enforcement significantly reduced the incidence of drug use and the dealing of fentanyl throughout the day and night.
Divekar noticed an immediate change in the neighborhood as soon as that changed.
Cusack also agreed, stating that it made a significant impact.
During the temporary suspension, local residents have noticed that the area around the grocery store has remained clean and quiet. However, since the suspension is only temporary and the issue has simply shifted a few blocks away, it may be worth considering making adjustments to Oregon’s bottle bill.
The president of Plaid Pantry expressed concerns about the negative impact of in-store bottle recycling on his staff, especially those who work overnight.
Plaid Pantry operates round the clock, ensuring that customers have access to their services at any time of the day. According to Jonathan Polonsky, the overnight staff often encounter multiple individuals seeking to exchange bottles for cash, leading to a bustling environment.
Martin questioned the rationale behind burdening a clerk at 2 in the morning with the task of handling cans for cash.
These residents living in the downtown area believe that making adjustments to the bottle bill would enhance public safety.
According to Martin, the primary purpose of the bottle bill was to promote recycling, and it has been successful in achieving that goal. However, he emphasizes that it was not intended to serve as a means for drug addicts to obtain cash.
According to Divekar, the primary intention behind the implementation of the bottle bill was to control littering. He believes that it was not intended to support individuals who make a living by collecting cans. Therefore, Divekar suggests that this aspect should also be taken into consideration.
Oregon lawmakers’ willingness to embrace this kind of change remains uncertain.
A few weeks ago, KOIN 6 News reached out to the governor’s office to inquire about the possibility of making changes to the bottle bill. At that time, the office stated that there were no serious discussions regarding this matter. They acknowledged that there were certain problematic areas, but they assured that overall the bottle bill sites in the state were functioning well.
The president of Plaid Pantry recently made a call for similar changes.
Individual bottles will be accepted again at the sites starting from May 1.
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