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Since You Asked: Curbside recycling doesn't count toward bottle redemption targets Monday Apr 3, 2017 at 12:01 AM Apr 4, 2017 at 3:15 PM Recently the MT had a couple of articles explaining the bottle deposit increase was because of reduced recycling statewide. How is glass recycling measured? Are they counting the amount of glass collected curbside? I for one recycle every bottle I use, but don't take them to the machines. — ML, Ashland You may want to start redeeming more of those bottles at the store, ML. According to the agency that processes Oregon's refundables for grocers and operates BottleDrop redemption centers such as the one in Medford, curbside recycling doesn't count toward their redemption targets. The refund increased to a dime Saturday because refunds didn't meet the 80 percent target they'd set for redemption. Only bottles returned for deposit were counted, according to Jules Bailey, chief stewardship officer with the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative. The reason, according to Bailey, is because the original intent of the bottle bill — first passed in 1971 and in effect since October 1972 — was to reduce litter. Recycling was considered an added benefit, he said. "Curbside recycling, in addition to not being available to all Oregonians, doesn't address litter issues," Bailey said. Instead of using the commingle bin, Bailey recommends locals who don't want to use machines sign up for a green bag account and head to the BottleDrop at 1179 Stowe Ave., Medford. "All they have to do is scan their card at the drop door at Bottle Drop, drop in their bag and walk away," Bailey said. "We do all the counting and sorting, and automatically credit their account." — Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them.