SUN JOURNAL • May 19, 2024
Maine’s beverage container redemption program, known as the “bottle bill,” took effect in 1978 and has catapulted Maine to fame as the top in recycling in the country, at between 67% to 74% of waste. Maine also recycles the most per resident with an average of 285 pounds of waste recycled per capita. Roopers says it is the largest Maine-owned redemption operation in the state, started in 1992 by founder Steve Roop, who built a small redemption station on Sabattus Street by himself. In 2023, Roopers processed 35 million units of recyclable material — cans, plastic and glass bottles and containers. Across Maine redemption centers have been closing in recent years. But Roopers volume has increased between 5% to 10% a year for the last four years due to two important moves. They invested in TOMRA sorting machines and they started the “Drink Up Drop Off” campaign, eliminating the need to stand in line.