Governor Signs Bottle Bill Expansion and Electronic Recycling Bill into Law

SB 707 expands the bottle bill to include water bottles and HB 2626 creates an electronic recycling program.

Photo: Tim King

(SALEM, Ore. ) - Governor Ted Kulongoski on Thursday signed into law Senate Bill 707 and House Bill 2626, expanding Oregon ’s bottle bill to include plastic water bottles and creating a statewide program for recycling used personal computers, televisions, laptops and monitors.

“Oregon has always been a leader on sustainability. Over thirty years ago, we were the first in the nation to pass the bottle bill,” said Governor Kulongoski. “Today we build on that legacy, providing new opportunities for Oregonians to recycle – preserving our natural resources and improving our quality of life.”

Senate Bill 707 will expand Oregon’s landmark 1972 bottle bill for the first time since its inception to include a refundable deposit for all plastic water bottles under three liters—including flavored water. The expansion will go into effect January 1st, 2009.

The legislation also creates a Bottle Bill Task Force, charged with submitting a report to the Governor by November 1st, 2008 on recommendations on how to further expand or modify the bottle bill’s recycling system. The Governor will appoint the nine members of the Task Force.

“Oregon has long been a national leader in recycling. We already recycle over 45 percent of our waste stream, helping us use our natural resources efficiently and improve our quality of life,” the Governor said. “This bill will allow us to significantly expand and exceed that number.”

Each year, Oregonians buy nearly 200 million bottles of water, with an estimated 125 million thrown in the trash.

Adding plastic water bottles to the refundable deposit program will encourage recycling, helping conserve energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce solid waste. Under House Bill 2626, manufacturers are required to provide free collection sites for consumers to recycle all computers, laptops, monitors and televisions with screens larger than four inches diagonally.

Manufacturers must register with the Department of Environmental Quality to either establish a recycling program or contract with one to ensure all Oregonians – individuals, small businesses and non-profits – have access to free recycling programs.

“We currently only recycle about 15 to 20 percent of our electronic products. With this bill we can greatly improve that rate,” the Governor said. “But perhaps more importantly, this is a consumer-oriented package, making it as easy to recycle a computer or TV as it is to buy one.”

If not disposed of correctly, these electronic items can create damaging environmental impacts and harm our natural resources and wildlife.

“Both of these bills provide easy ways for all Oregonians to recycle and use our natural resources more efficiently and improve our quality of life,” said Governor Kulongoski. “We are not only creating a legacy for future generations, but we are leading the way for other states to follow.”