Most Oregonians Say Using Bottle Bill Money for Wildfires Is the Wrong Move

In a recent poll commissioned by the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (OBRC) and Protect Oregon’s Bottle Bill coalition, voters made it clear that they strongly support the state’s iconic Bottle Bill and want it protected and expanded.

72% of voters don’t want lawmakers to change it and oppose diverting its funds to wildfire management.

Voters Don’t Want Oregon Bottle Bill To Pay For Wildfire Management

71% of voters polled considered the Bottle Bill one of the state’s most successful environmental programs. Conducted by DHM Research, the poll of 500 Oregon voters confirmed that Oregonians overwhelmingly see the Oregon Bottle Bill as “good for Oregon.”

OBRC is a co-op that operates Bottle Bill programs statewide and indicated that the operating costs for Oregon’s bottle deposit and return program are about $63 million annually, some of which are offset by the unredeemed 10-cent refunds from cans and bottles that are not returned.

The beverage sector covers the remaining costs, as the initiative is funded without any taxpayer dollars.

Over 1.1 million Oregonians participate in the Green and Blue bag programs. Oregon voters said the following about the Bottle Bill in the poll:

• 90% are familiar with the bill
• 84% believe the system is good for Oregon.
• 93% of Green and Blue Bag users are opposed to removing resources from the system that would lead to the closure of BottleDrop locations or the elimination of the Green Bag program.
• 72% of respondents favored maintaining the funds within the bottle return system rather than letting the state divert unclaimed container refund money to other programs, like wildfire management. 81% of voters also said that lawmakers should find a dedicated wildfire funding source elsewhere.

John Horvick, senior vice president of DHM Research, said, “Voters are crystal clear: they value the Oregon Bottle Bill, and they don’t want elected officials to make changes that may negatively impact its effectiveness.”

OBRC is investing in the program to grow access to the Green and Blue Bag programs. New drop sites, expansion of program awareness, and other initiatives are planned.

If funding is redirected, it will hinder the ability to grow and maintain the program as most Oregonians are likely to use the Bottle Bill to redeem empty bottles and cans, primarily through the Green or Blue Bag programs or at BottleDrop Redemption Centers.

The president of Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative, Jason Jordan, confirmed that people in every corner of Oregon agree that wildfire prevention is essential, but not at the cost of gutting a proven environmental program like the Bottle Bill.