OBRC President urges rejection of House Bill 3948 to protect Oregon bottle bill

Oregon's beverage recycling system faces potential disruption as the House Committee on Revenue deliberates on House Bill 3948. During a recent meeting, representatives from the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (OBRC) urged the committee to reject the bill unless the proposed Dash 8 amendment is adopted. Their primary concern centers on the bill's plan to fund wildfire response through a 5¢ sales tax on beverages, which they argue could undermine the state's successful bottle bill program.

The OBRC, which operates as a cooperative for beverage distributors, highlighted the significant benefits of Oregon's bottle bill, including over $200 million returned to Oregonians annually and support for nearly 7,000 nonprofits. They emphasized that introducing a sales tax would confuse consumers and erode trust in the bottle redemption process, potentially leading to a decline in participation and jeopardizing the state's world-class recycling system.

The cooperative's president pointed out that the bottle bill has thrived without taxpayer funding for nearly 54 years, relying instead on industry investments. They warned that taxing the redemption value of containers could strain the system, risking the closure of redemption centers and diminishing the convenience that has contributed to Oregon's high redemption rates.

In addition to the immediate impacts on recycling, the OBRC stressed that the proposed tax could harm philanthropic efforts and community support programs, including those aimed at wildfire recovery. They called for a sustainable funding solution for wildfire management that does not compromise the integrity of Oregon's bottle bill.

As the committee continues its discussions, the future of the bottle bill and its role in Oregon's environmental and community support efforts hangs in the balance. The OBRC's testimony underscores the importance of maintaining a robust recycling system while addressing pressing environmental challenges.