Oregon Beverage Recycling

What Oregon Beverage Recycling does

Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (OBRC) is a not-for-profit cooperative, headquartered in Clackamas, Oregon, that operates Oregon's Bottle Bill — America's first Extended Producer Responsibility program, established in 1971. OBRC is owned and governed by more than 400 member beverage distributors and serves as the statewide infrastructure for collecting, processing, and recycling beverage containers subject to Oregon's 10-cent deposit. In 2025 the cooperative processed approximately 2.09 billion containers through a network of 27 full-service BottleDrop Redemption Centers, 110 bag drop locations, 6 processing plants, and route collection from 2,000+ retail stores, achieving an 87% redemption rate — the highest in the United States versus a 35% national average. The organization employs 500+ people across Oregon in roles spanning truck drivers, redemption center staff, plant processing, field services, IT, and administration.

The cooperative's core technology is proprietary. Smart Count AI (U.S. Patent No. 11,548,729) is an in-house-developed computer vision system using image recognition, scanners, and cameras to rapidly identify and count bulk batches of Oregon deposit containers; Stream Count AI extends the patent to in-motion counting. Both systems are deployed across the BottleDrop network and have been licensed to San Francisco's BottleBank pilot. Customer-facing infrastructure includes the BottleDrop Mobile Application, Green Bag and Blue Bag programs (with 1.24 million+ account holders), BottleDrop Express retail drop-off sites, Dealer Redemption Centers, Reverse Vending Machines leased to retailers, and the BottleDrop Refillable Bottles program — the only statewide refillable bottle program in the United States.

OBRC's revenue model is multi-stream: distributor membership fees assessed on sales volume and per-container processing expense, bag processing fees on Green and Blue Bag returns, equipment leasing of reverse vending machines to retailers, and transaction-related flows tied to BottleDrop Give nonprofit fundraising (over $39.2 million raised for 7,100+ nonprofits since 2009). Additional partnerships include Oregon Community Foundation (BottleDrop Fund grants), Northwest Grocery Association (BottleDrop Plus grocery rewards), Oregon State Treasury (Embark/ABLE savings), and Oregon College Savings Plan. The cooperative also operates the OBRC Emergency Fund for community relief and produces biannual legislative district reporting to support regulatory engagement.

Name

Oregon Beverage Recycling

Legal name

Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative

Website

https://obrc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

OBRC is a not-for-profit cooperative of 400+ Oregon beverage distributors that operates the state's Bottle Bill redemption system, processing 2.09 billion containers annually through 27 centers, 110 bag drops, and patented AI counting technology, serving consumers, retailers, and 7,100+ nonprofits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Beverage Container Redemption and Recycling

NAICS

Waste Collection (56211)

SIC

Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Deposit Return System (DRS) / Bottle Bill Counting & Processing Centers (BPALADAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Packaging Recovery & Closed-Loop Programs (Take-Back, Deposit-Return, EPR Support) (IMALAMAF), Reusable Packaging & Refill Systems (Returnable Transport Items, Deposit/DRS Ops) (EUAIANAE), Returnable & Refillable Glass Packaging (Deposit, Reuse Systems) (IMALAEAF), Recycling Transfer & Consolidation (Single-Stream, Dual-Stream, Source-Separated) (EUAIABAC)

Keywords

• Beverage container recycling
• Container redemption services
• Bottle bill operations
• Reverse vending machines
• Recycling logistics services

Headquarters

HQ city

Clackamas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Distributor Membership Fees: Beverage distributors (including importers and self-distributing manufacturers) join OBRC as members. Members remit deposits to the cooperative so OBRC can pay refunds on their behalf. OBRC assesses membership fees based on sales volume and actual processing expenses by container type.
2. BottleDrop Give Nonprofit Fundraising: Nonprofits raise funds through container donations. Blue Bag program allows supporters to fill bags with containers tagged for specific nonprofits. High-volume plant fundraising allows nonprofits to bring containers directly to OBRC processing plants. Program has raised over $39.2 million since 2009, with $5.86 million raised in 2025.
3. Bag Processing: Processing fees associated with Green and Blue Bag programs where consumers drop off containers for counting and credit to their accounts.
4. Equipment Leasing: OBRC leases reverse vending machines (RVMs) to retailers. Field Services Department maintains leased equipment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

OBRC operates Oregon's Bottle Bill as a not-for-profit cooperative, managing the statewide beverage container deposit-return system. It runs the BottleDrop network of 27 full-service redemption centers and 110 bag drop locations, processes nearly 2.09 billion containers annually, and provides reverse vending machines, container pickup, processing, and reporting services to 400+ beverage distributor members and 2,000+ retail partners. Its proprietary Smart Count AI (Patent No. 11,548,729) and Stream Count AI technologies power high-volume container counting and account crediting.

Product overview

Oregon Beverage Recycling (OBRC) operates Oregon's beverage container redemption system as a not-for-profit cooperative. The core product is the BottleDrop network, which includes 27 full-service Redemption Centers and 110 bag drop locations statewide. The company's main technology products are Smart Count AI and Stream Count AI - proprietary AI systems using image recognition to rapidly count and credit beverage containers. The BottleDrop network supports multiple consumer programs including Green Bags (for individual consumers), Blue Bags (for nonprofit fundraising), BottleDrop Give (nonprofit fundraising platform partnering with 7,100+ nonprofits), BottleDrop Plus (grocery rewards), and BottleDrop Refillable Bottles (the nation's only statewide refillable bottle program). OBRC also provides reverse vending machines and dealer redemption centers for retailers, and operates the BottleDrop Fund in partnership with Oregon Community Foundation for annual grantmaking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Smart Count AI: Patented image recognition and AI technology that rapidly identifies and counts bulk batches of beverage containers.
• Stream Count AI
• BottleDrop Express
• BottleDrop Green Bags
• BottleDrop Blue Bags
• BottleDrop Plus
• BottleDrop Refill
• BottleDrop Fund

Products and services

• Smart Count AI Patented AI-driven container counting system that uses image recognition, scanners, and cameras to rapidly identify and count bulk batches of beverage containers, crediting customer accounts or producing counts far faster than prior methods. Sold/used internally and licensed externally.
• Stream Count AI AI technology built on the same patented image-counting foundation as Smart Count AI that counts containers while in motion, enabling rapid bulk counting and immediate cash payouts at high-volume BottleDrop Redemption Centers.
• BottleDrop Container Redemption Network Statewide consumer-facing network for beverage container redemption operated by OBRC, combining full-service Redemption Centers, bag drop locations, and reverse vending machines to process nearly 2 billion containers annually.
• BottleDrop Green Bag Program Consumer program allowing individuals to fill bags with glass, plastic and metal containers and drop them off at any bag drop location for automated counting and account credit, used by over 1.24 million account holders.
• BottleDrop Blue Bag Program Nonprofit fundraising program allowing nonprofits to distribute Blue Bags to supporters; QR-coded stickers route container refunds directly to the participating nonprofit's account.
• BottleDrop Give Nonprofit fundraising platform that enables Oregon nonprofits to raise money through consumer container donations via the Blue Bag program and high-volume plant fundraising, partnering with over 7,100 registered nonprofits.
• BottleDrop Plus Rewards program through which customers receive an extra 20% added to their refund value when they use BottleDrop account funds as store credit at participating grocery retailers.
• BottleDrop Express Retail-hosted Green and Blue Bag drop-off sites that give consumers convenient bulk-return options while driving foot traffic to participating retailers.
• BottleDrop Refillable Bottles Program Statewide refillable bottle program for craft beverage producers; bottles are designed for 25+ reuse cycles and are washed and refilled by participating beverage producers.
• Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) Self-serve reverse vending machines leased by OBRC to retailers for efficient in-store container return processing, with equipment installation and maintenance handled by OBRC's Field Services Department.
• Dealer Redemption Centers Retailer-operated Green and Blue Bag return locations where retailers financially support operations in exchange for reduced individual container return requirements and access to additional customer foot traffic.
• BottleDrop Fund Annual grantmaking fund managed in partnership with the Oregon Community Foundation that awards grants to organizations focused on litter reduction, environmental conservation, education, recycling, public-private partnerships, and job training for low-income residents.
• OBRC Emergency Fund Emergency fund program that channels BottleDrop customer donations and OBRC contributions to nonprofits delivering urgent community relief, such as food insecurity and disaster response.

Quantifiable outcome

• 87% container redemption rate in 2024, highest in the nation vs 35% national average
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• SOLVEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2025Community cleanup and recycling event series partnership. Organizations team up to host one volunteer event each month in communities across Oregon throughout 2025.
• Oregon Community FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership to create the BottleDrop Fund at Oregon Community Foundation. The fund supports organizations operating in the spirit of Oregon's Bottle Bill through annual grantmaking. Fund priorities include litter reduction, environmental conservation, education, recycling, public-private partnerships, and job training for low-income residents. In 2025, supported 13 grant recipients.
• Oregon College Savings PlanflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovative partnership allowing BottleDrop customers to link accounts and transfer refunds directly to Oregon College Savings Plan for education savings. Reached $1 million saved for higher education. First partnership of its kind in the world.
• Oregon State Treasury - Embark and Oregon ABLE Savings PlanflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership enabling BottleDrop customers to link accounts with Embark (education savings) and Oregon ABLE Savings Plan (disability-related expenses) for direct fund transfers.
• Northwest Grocery AssociationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for BottleDrop Plus grocery rewards program. Customers receive extra 20% added to refund value when using BottleDrop account funds to shop with store credit at participating retailers. Over 236,000 customers used this in 2025.
• Double Mountain BrewerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-tenured partner in BottleDrop Refillable Bottle program. Matt Swihart, founder and brewmaster, has been a key champion for the statewide refillable bottle program since its 2018 launch.
• Mercy CorpsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmergency Fund recipient during 2022 Ukraine crisis. OBRC and BottleDrop customers raised $125,000 to support Mercy Corps' humanitarian relief efforts.
• ORPET Facility (St. Helens)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOBRC is a co-owner of the ORPET facility in St. Helens. This wash and flake facility receives every plastic container returned through OBRC and produces high-grade rPET flake for new plastic products.
• Glass to Glass Recycling FacilitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll glass returned through Oregon's Bottle Bill is transported to Glass to Glass recycling facility in Portland for processing into raw material to become new glass bottles again.
• Retailers (2,000+ locations)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with retailers including Fred Meyer, Albertsons, New Seasons, and others for BottleDrop Express sites, Dealer Redemption Centers, and reverse vending machine locations. OBRC collects containers and reimburses retailers for refunds.
• 7,100+ NonprofitscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegistered nonprofit fundraisers through BottleDrop Give program. Nonprofits use Blue Bag program and high-volume plant fundraising to raise money. Over $39.2 million raised since 2009.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Closed Loop Partners: Circular-economy investment platform backing recycling, reuse and rPET infrastructure. Representative of investor/operator platforms aiming to scale beverage-container circularity — overlaps with OBRC's vertical-integration thesis around ORPET and Glass-to-Glas.
• Container Recycling Institute: U.S. nonprofit research and advocacy organization tracking bottle bill performance, redemption rates, and DRS economics. Directly relevant as the source of OBRC's '86% redemption rate' benchmark and as an industry voice that has co-promoted Oregon's model at the U.S. Senate.
• GreenBlue: Nonprofit that convenes brands and packaging suppliers on circular packaging strategies, including refillable and reusable systems. Direct thematic adjacency to OBRC's BottleDrop Refill program and refillable-glass initiatives within the U.S. beverage container space.

Direct peers

• Tomra Systems ASA: Global leader in reverse vending machine (RVM) technology and deposit-return systems, headquartered in Norway. Operates one of the world's largest DRS service platforms and supplies the hardware layer beneath most national deposit schemes — directly comparable to OBRC's RVM and BottleDrop deployment plus its Smart Count AI counting technology.
• Encorp Pacific (Return-It): Not-for-profit operator of British Columbia's container deposit-return system under the Return-It brand. Operates collection depots, an account-based system similar to BottleDrop, and counts/categorizes returned beverage containers — a structurally near-identical DRS operating model to OBRC's in Oregon.
• RVM Systems: Manufacturer and integrator of reverse vending machines and AI-powered container counting systems used in DRS schemes. Direct technology peer to OBRC's Smart Count AI / Stream Count AI counting platform and OBRC's RVM leasing business with retailers.
• RecycleBC: Producer-responsibility organization managing residential packaging and paper recycling in British Columbia under extended producer responsibility. Closely parallels OBRC's steward-of-deposit-program role and the regulatory/EPR partnership model Oregon is often benchmarked against.

Broad incumbents

• Ball Corporation: Global aluminum packaging manufacturer with growing investments in can-to-can recycling and circular aluminum supply chains. Compares to OBRC as a similarly invested player in the beverage-container circular economy, though Ball operates at global materials scale rather than as a DRS operator.
• Waste Management: Largest U.S. provider of waste and recycling collection services with growing investment in MRF and recyclable commodities infrastructure. Comparable as a broad incumbent with overlapping scope in container collection and processing, but not a DRS-specialized operator.
• Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) — Reuse & Refill initiatives: Large beverage company actively piloting refillable and reusable packaging schemes globally. Comparable to OBRC's BottleDrop Refill program as a downstream partner/adopter of the refillable-bottle infrastructure OBRC operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Oregon Beverage Recycling