Oregon’s well-known bottle return program is getting a major update, and at the heart of the changes are community-run redemption sites that serve Portland’s canners. While supporters say the shift creates more opportunities for people who rely on bottle returns for survival, some small businesses argue the new system puts an unfair burden on them.
Life at the People’s Depot
Under Portland’s Morrison Bridge, the People’s Depot operates as a lifeline for many. The site, managed by the Ground Score Association, hand-counts bottles and cans and pays out cash immediately. For those who depend on canning, every dollar matters.
“It’s what I do to survive out here,” said Gypsi Spirit, who relies on daily cash returns.
The depot can hand-count up to 400 containers per person, roughly $40 in value. While it may seem modest, manager Kris Brown explained that such an amount can be crucial for survival. “$40 really is not that much in today’s society. But it matters a lot to people where that $40 is all they have,” Brown said…