Oregonians will soon be paying higher deposits on their plastic bottles as well as other beverage containers.
The state is set to increase its bottle bill deposit to 10 cents per container starting April 1, up from a nickel.
The move is taking place because Oregon law requires the increase if "the number of beverage containers returned for the refund value was less than 80 percent of the total number of beverage containers that were sold in Oregon" for two calendar years, according to the state.
The recycling rate for the both 2014, at 68.26 percent, and for 2015, at 64.45 percent, both fell below that threshold. The rate was just shy of 71 percent in both 2012 and 2013.
There was a provision in state law, however, that held off any increase until 2017.
Beverages included in the redemption program include water, carbonated soft drinks and beer in containers up to three liters. Starting next year, all beverage containers between 4 ounces and 1.5 liters will require a deposit except for distilled liquor, wine, dairy or plant-based milk and infant formula, the state said.
Water, beer and carbonated soft drinks of 3 liters or less will still be covered, and most other beverages such as tea, coffee, hard cider and fruit juice will be added.
Labeling for the higher redemption rate can be phased in through Sept. 30, 2018, but consumers will still have to pay the higher 10-cent rate regardless of what the container states.
