April 20, 2021 4:00 a.m.

On Monday a resolution sponsored by Republicans passed with unanimous support in the Oregon House to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Oregon Bottle Bill.

A release from the Oregon House Republican Caucus said created by Republican Paul Hanneman on behalf of Richard Chambers and signed into law by Governor Tom McCall, the 50th anniversary of the Oregon recycling program was officially commemorated with HCR 24.

In 2020 alone, Oregonians received more than $140 million in refunds from BottleDrop, much of which went to lower income and vulnerable populations. In addition to this support, these dollars could be used for in-store shopping credit, where customers receive an additional 20 percent bonus to put even more food on their tables.

House Republican Leader Christine Drazen said, “Thanks to the Oregon Bottle Bill, recycling your cans and bottles is one of the most quintessentially Oregonian things you can do”. Drazen said recycling isn’t just a hobby or past time for people, but it can be a source of significant financial support. She said she was happy to sponsor the resolution to commemorate 50 years of the program.