Hello,
The Oregon House and Senate passed a law enabling “alternative” can/bottle redemption centers to be set up in Portland (but nowhere else in the state), and the first one will be in HAND. These centers allow folks to redeem up to 350 (or more) individual cans and bottles (as opposed to the green bags that many of us use), will pay cash, and will relieve retail outlets in a 3.5 mile radius from having to accept them for redemption.
The redemption center will be a relocation and expansion of the People’s Depot, which has been operating for a couple of years off MLK, under the Morrison Bridge, and is being funded by the Oregon Grocers Association. The facility will be located at 1041 SE Brooklyn St.
If you’d like to learn more, there will be a community meeting on October 7th at 7PM at the Sacred Heart Fellowship Hall at 3850 SE 11th Ave.
See the attached message for the meeting agenda and a little more background.
Best,
Chris Eykamp
HAND Chair
PS HAND has not taken a position on this matter, but we will discuss it at our next meeting, on October 14