When I was in grade school in Palmer during the 1950s, I'm sure we paid a ten cent deposit on our pop bottles. When we brought them back to the store, we got a return. I assume the bottles were cleaned and refilled. I don't know what was done with beer, whiskey and other glass retainers at that time. I guess they went in the trash. I have lived in Oregon since 1967. Our late governor, Tom McCall, helped get the Oregon "bottle bill" passed. We pay a deposit on all the glass, plastic and metal containers we buy. When we shop again we get a refund, like we did during the 1950s in Alaska.

Alaska is not Oregon, where we have access to more recyclable options. I am always surprised that Anchorage, especially, doesn't have better recycling. Everything changes and I'm sure eventually things will eventually change in Alaska too.