If we want to make recycling an effective way of dealing with used beverage containers, then we must look to Oregon for inspiration. Currently, the state recycles 90 percent of the beverage containers covered by its bottle deposit system, despite major disruptions in the global recycling markets. The new numbers reflect recent expansion of the program to include more types of beverage containers, including energy and sports drinks, tea, coffee and kombucha, as well as an increase in the deposit value from 5 cents to 10 cents. And since bottles are returned through reverse vending machines that monitor whether the containers are truly recyclable, the collected bottles aren’t commingled with trash, resulting in a cleaner mix of recyclable materials.
90 percent of bottles collected by Oregon’s bottle deposit system get recycled
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