Yesterday I talked about how the BinCam might motivate recycling behavior, and opposition by critics who thought that rewards would play a more positive role than "a stick." 
deposits are one example of such an effective reward system, as exemplified by Oregon's historic bottle bill.
After more than four years of negotiations, Oregon's latest revision to that state's landmark 40-year old take-back legislation has been signed into law by Governor John Kitzhaber.
According to OregonLive.com:
-- The system would begin a shift from the in-store collection system to one that relies more heavily, though not exclusively, on off-site redemption centers, a key feature required to win the support of the grocery industry.
-- No later than 2018, the types of beverage containers covered would be expanded to include just about any glass, metal or plastic beverage container, except for those those that hold milk, wine or liquor.
-- Finally, it would increase the current nickel deposit to a dime if redemption rates fall below 80 percent two years in a row. Currently redemption rates average 75 percent.
"This is a great day for Oregon. A lot can change over 40 years. This legislation brings Oregon's bottle bill up to date," said the Governor in signing HB 3145 into law. "This bill, this day, has been a long time coming."This only the second revision to the bill over its lifetime, the first coming in 2007 with the addition of water bottles. A further move to also include containers for sports drinks, coffee, juice, tea and other beverages caused distributors and grocers to balk.
Then, after two trial redemption centers proved highly successful, the former opponents lent support for the expansion, winning bipartisan support in its passage through both the Oregon House and Senate.
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