Cash drives state recycling

When Oregon enacted the nation’s first bottle bill in 1971, it was intended to reduce litter on the state’s beaches, along roads, and in parks. It was a cleanup, not a recycling program.

Today, the focus is recycling empty beer, pop, juice, and water containers and it is working very well in large part because it pays people to recycle.

Collect the “empties” and earn a dime for each plastic bottle or aluminum can. It adds up and often is enough money to supplement purchases of food and gas.

Oregon Public Broadcasting’s (OPR) reported last year the state’s program hit another milestone, 88.5% r...