The Delta Park BottleDrop Redemption Center will officially close on July 31 following years of local complaints.
The Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative will close the Delta Park BottleDrop redemption center on July 31, following the landlord's decision not to renew the lease. The closure follows years of complaints from neighboring businesses, such as Premiere Beauty Supply and Mattress World NW, regarding crime, public drug use, and safety hazards in the area. While customers like Max Proudfit argue that the redemption center provides essential daily income for those living on the streets, others note the impact of the surrounding environment. Fred Doan, owner of a nearby business, noted that many customers felt unsafe due to broken windows and active drug use in the parking lot. To mitigate the impact, the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative is expanding its Green and Blue Bag drop-sites. This system requires customers to register for an account and use pre-issued bags, which reduces waiting times and but requires an ID and a phone. The cooperative announced that all 11 employees from the Delta Park location will find new positions within the organization.