Return ‘Em for Rieke

Return ‘Em for Rieke is an Integral Fundraising Program for the PTA

Did you know that beverage container collections from the community and Rieke families make up 46% of the PTA budget? This school year we raised $8,000 for the PTA! Can collection is by far the PTA’s most successful fundraising program, funding important programs at Rieke and essential improvements to the Hillsdale Community Playground.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Where can I get a blue bag for can/bottle donations? 

    • Boxes of 10 BottleDrop bags with tags are available for pickup at Rieke Elementary during the school year and year-round at businesses and homes around Rieke. Email us for a location near your home.  Alternatively, you can visit Jacqueline Fitzgibbon's State Farm Office in the Hillsdale Shopping area, Monday - Friday from 9-4pm.

  • Where can I return a filled blue bag? 

    • Deposit the bags yourself: Any BottleDrop location accepts blue bags, including the location at the Burlingame Fred Meyer. Simply take the bags to the "Bag Drop" door and scan the QR code on the label to unlock the door. FYI: Scanning the tag only opens the door and does not track the bag. Each bag will be scanned in by BottleDrop employees once put inside the door. If the door is open or unlocked by another QR code you can still place Rieke bags in the door.

    • Find a neighbor: Families around Rieke have graciously offered to accept filled bags and take them to BottleDrop. Email us to find a drop location near you.

    • Schedule a pickup: Volunteers are on hand to pick up filled bags from your home. Email us to set up a pickup.

  • Can anyone participate?

    • Yes! Anyone can support Rieke! Return 'Em for Rieke is the PTA’s main fundraising program, making up 46% of the PTA's budget. Money raised from the bottle return funds essential projects at Rieke including: school supplies for all students, classroom books, teacher appreciation, the garden program, field trips and more. Funding also supports maintenance and updates to the Hillsdale Community Playground.  

Volunteer for Return ‘Em for Rieke

We need you and your help. Can you volunteer for the following?

  • Host a bin in the front of your house for bag pickups (option to also collect filled bags at your home). We need more hosts near Burlingame, Multnomah Village, Sunset Blvd, and Fulton Park. All materials provided.

  • Pick up 10 blue BottleDrop boxes at the BottleDrop location on Beaverton/Hillsdale Hwy (15 minute commitment) and deliver to host homes.

  • Collect filled bags from homes around Rieke and deposit them at BottleDrop locations. Filled bag collectors will deposit bags (15 limit per deposit) at collection centers at their convenience. WhatsApp will be used to coordinate. Volunteer commitment is one hour per month. This is an excellent way to get kids involved in volunteering.

  • Join the Rieke Recycles committee to brainstorm ways to make this program even more successful.

Are you interested in helping with the program? Let us know!

Guide to Redeemable Beverage Containers

Can you include it? The easiest way to tell if a container is redeemable is to look for the OR 10¢ CRV on the bottle/can.

Include, only glass, metal, or plastic bottles or cans in the following sizes:

Beverages in sizes 3 liters or less:

  • Soda (carbonated/sparkling beverages)

  • Beer and other malt beverages

  • Water

  • Kombucha

  • Hard Seltzer

Beverages in sizes from 4 ounces up to and including 1.5 liters:

  • Coffee/tea (even if they contain milk)

  • Energy and sports drinks

  • Fruit and vegetable juice (does not have to be and 100%)

  • Aloe vera juice

  • Non‐alcohol wine and spirits

  • Hard cider if 8.5% ABV or less

  • Beverages containing marijuana or hemp

  • Muscle Milk

  • Coconut water

  • Oral electrolyte replacements (such as Pedialyte)

  • Beverages containing dairy milk or plant‐based milk if milk is not listed as the first ingredient

  • Ready‐to‐drink cocktail mixers, like margarita mix or bloody Mary mix

  • Crowlers

Rule of Thumb:

Generally, if you can pour it and drink it, it’s covered unless:

  • It’s one of the excluded beverages (distilled spirits, wine, infant formula, liquid meal replacements, and beverages that list dairy milk or plant‐based milk as the first ingredient).

  • It's in a carton, foil pouch, drink box, or metal container that requires a tool to be opened.

  • It’s outside the size ranges listed above.