LEOS continue to collect those bottles and cans that have a five cent refund value in the Rosauers parking lot the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The student service group receives about 10,000 donated water, pop and beer containers per month — that’s $500 when they get the nickel refund for each bottle and can — but they would appreciate more.
The LEOS turn that money back into the community by passing it to local groups. It’s been a strong and steady youth volunteer effort for seven years and deserves support.
But if you’re not donating your bottles and cans to the LEOS, you might want to consider another option for keeping those nickels in the community. The Hood River Lions Club has now placed two collection trailers in Hood River so you can donate your bottles and cans any time. The trailers are located at Hood River Supply on the Heights and CenterPointe Bank on West Cascade.
Collecting the water, pop and beer bottles and cans with their five cent refund value is a coordinated program by the LEOS and Lions. LEOS is affiliated with Lions Club and every month adult Lions assist the youth LEOS at the Rosauers collection site. The Lions have stepped up with the trailers, realizing that a lot of nickels continue to leave the community when those bottles and cans aren’t taken back to the stores or donated to the LEOS or other groups.
The LEOS began their collection program when some members concluded many bottles and cans (and their nickel refund value) were being thrown away. Even if you are recycling the bottles and cans curbside or at a drop box, the nickel refund that goes with those containers is leaving the community. The youths thought many people don’t take the time or don’t like using the machines at the stores to get the nickel refunds, but many would be happy to donate the containers for a good cause if it were easy.
The LEOS monthly collection and now the Lions trailers keep more of the nickel deposits in the community and raise much needed funds for local projects and activities. On the environmental side, having the nickel refund significantly increases the number of containers that are recycled and cuts down on the litter along our roads. When the containers are returned to the stores or donated to the LEOS or Lions, they become a higher value/higher end use recycled material than if they are mixed with the other recycled materials.
So if you are not taking your bottles and cans back to the stores to get your nickel refunds, please consider the LEOS collection the first Saturday of each month at Rosauers, or the Lion’s trailers at Hood River Supply or CenterPointe Bank. Both our community and environment benefit when you donate your deposit bottles and cans.
Bob Danko, of Parkdale, is a long-time recycling supporter.
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