More Stores in “Low” and “Medium” Risk counties to resume redeeming beverage containers, March 4

Portland, OR – Stores in more Oregon counties will be required to accept redeemable beverage containers starting this week, after their counties saw marked improvement in their COVID-19 public health status. Last week, nine counties moved into either “Lower” or “Moderate” status, which will require stores within those counties to resume accepting the return of redeemable beverage containers by March 3, 2021. To reduce the impact of processing beverage container returns, the OLCC will allow stores within the “Moderate” and “Low” risk levels to limit their hours for accepting container redemptions. Specifically, stores in “Low” or “Medium” risk status that operate 24 hours a day may limit their container return hours to 7:00 am – 11:00 pm. Stores that do not operate 24 hours a day may limit their container return hours to 8:00 am – 6:00 pm. More information can be found here. This chart outlines (by county) when stores are required to begin redeeming containers under the state’s Risk and Protection Framework. The OLCC updates this chart every two weeks after the Oregon Health Authority announces changes in county risk levels. The risk levels are designed to be county specific in an effort to stop the rapid spread of COVID-19, as defined by the Oregon Health Authority. The OLCC will continue its temporary non-enforcement posture for stores in counties with either “Extreme” or “High” risk levels that choose not to redeem containers. However, stores in “Extreme” or “High” risk counties that choose to do so may accept containers. Regardless of a county’s risk status stores may continue to charge a deposit on redeemable containers. BottleDrop® redemption centers, operated by the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (OBRC) will remain open. OBRC and retailers will also continue to operate BottleDrop® Express drop sites, and Dealer Redemption Centers. Consumers in communities without redemption centers should store bottles and cans until redemption services fully resume.