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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Cheers and Jeers ... Stouts fire still growing, but in a good way ... Man suspected of sexually abusing child ... Our View: Cheers and Jeers ... Stouts fire still growing, but in a good way ... Man suspected of sexually abusing child ... OUR VIEW Our View: Bottle deposit increase may help boost returns MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 4, 2015 @ 12:01 am Posted Aug. 4, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Initial reactions to the news that the state may increase deposits on returnable bottles and cans from a nickel to a dime were predictable — and predictably off-base. Oregon lawmakers in 2011 passed a bill aimed at reviving sagging return rates, which had been declining since the 1990s. Part of the reason was the rise in curbside recycling, and part was consumer frustration with store-based redemption machines, which were unpleasant to use and prone to breakdowns. The legislation authorized increasing the deposit to a dime if the return rate stayed below 80 percent two years in a row. In addition, the bill provided for unified redemption centers, designed to be faster, cleaner and more convenient, and allowed nearby stores to stop accepting returns. The good news is, it appears to be working. Redemption rates are generally up within a 3.5-mile radius of the centers. One of them is operating on Stowe Avenue in Medford. Online commenters to a recent story on the Mail Tribune website blamed the new redemption center for the decline in returns, even though the decline was happening for years before the unified centers opened. If you think driving to a location other than your local supermarket to return containers is less convenient, maybe you haven't been to the center yet. On a recent visit there were more than enough self-serve machines available. Attendants were on hand to help new visitors redeem their slips or sign them up for the easiest method of all: the green bag program. Participants use green plastic bags and a strip of barcode stickers unique to their account. Fill a bag, slap on one of your stickers and drop the bag in the hopper on the outside of the redemption center, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Once the containers are processed, your account will be credited with the proper amount, and you can redeem it at machines in the participating grocery stores or at the center itself.  It's hard to get more convenient than that. No sorting or feeding machines. Granted, it's less convenient than tossing your returnables in your curbside recycling bin, but you get your deposits back. If you're still not willing to make a little effort to return bottles and cans, maybe a 10-cent deposit will get your attention. If return rates don't go up and stay up, that's scheduled to happen in 2017.      MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 4, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501