Today, at a special meeting of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) Commissioners issued new temporary rules updating Oregon’s Bottle Bill effective June, 5 through December 2, 2025. The new rules were authorized by Senate Bill 992, which the Legislature recently passed and which Governor Kotek signed into law on Tuesday, June 3.

The rule updates include:

Enabling stores to limit the hours they must provide redemption services;
Altering the requirements for stores participating in redemption centers; and
Enabling the opening of alternative access redemption centers (AARC).
During the Commission meeting, Commissioners heard a presentation from both staff and the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (OBRC) on the updates. Commission Chair Doherty commented that, “For over 50 years, Oregon’s Bottle Bill has helped keep our state green and litter-free. The OLCC is proud of the role we play in making the Bottle Bill work. With today’s significant changes, we will ensure that our pioneering system will continue to serve communities across our state for years to come.”

The legislation and rule changes also allow stores to limit the hours they accept returns from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Stores will no longer be required to provide redemption services during all the hours they are open. Further, dealer redemption centers in the City of Portland will only be required to accept OBRC “green bag” program redemptions.

One of the largest changes is the creation of Alternative Access Redemption Centers, which enable non-profits to open redemption centers. To that end, SB 992 also includes some changes to convenience zones that will be a part of the approval process to ensure that redemption centers serve the stores and the community.

The OLCC is charged with ensuring that Oregonians have access to obtaining their deposits on redeemable beverage containers. 

This summer, commission staff will utilize the rulemaking process to get feedback from industry and the public about these temporary rules. The temporary rules will be made permanent later this year as they expire December 2, 2025.

In addition to implementing the rule changes authorized by Senate Bill 992, the Commission also approved canned wine, cider over 8.5% ABV, sake and mead for redemption. Starting July 1, cans of these beverages will carry a redemption value and will be accepted at all redemption centers. Wineries that sell canned wine will only be required to accept the containers they sell.