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How to Embark

Saving Tips for Earth Month: Plan for Your Kid’s Future, and the Planet.

Families across Oregon are turning their recycling, and even the stormy weather, into education savings. Discover how you can create sustainable saving habits with Embark.

At a glance:

  • Turn your recycling into education savings by connecting your BottleDrop and Embark accounts.
  • Friends and family can also contribute their BottleDrop funds to your Embark account.
  • Use the Weather Savings Booster to set up small, automatic contributions to your 529 account every time it rains.
  • Reduce waste by choosing paperless billing in your Embark account preferences.

Recycle for the earth. Save for education.

In Oregon, people care about the environment (and not just because it’s Earth Month). How do we know? Since 2019, Oregon families have saved nearly $2.6 million for education with our BottleDrop partnership. That’s a lot of recycling!

If you live in Oregon, you probably already recycle. And when you connect a BottleDrop account to your Embark 529 account, every can of seltzer or bottle of soda you recycle can help support your kid’s future dreams.

How to link your BottleDrop to an Embark 529 account.

  1. Get started by signing in to your Embark account to access your account details. If you don’t have one, it’s easy to set one up online.
  2. Next, log in to your BottleDrop account. You can open a BottleDrop account online or at a kiosk at a BottleDrop location.
  3. From your BottleDrop account dashboard, click “Embark.”
  4. Select “Connect and Manage Accounts” and then click “Add New Recipient.”
  5. From there, enter your Embark account details (including your account number, the account owner’s name, the beneficiary’s name, and a monthly contribution amount).
  6. Save your changes and start saving!

How to make the most of your recycling.

Set it and forget it.
While a one-time transfer is great, setting up recurring contributions from BottleDrop can really help you build momentum (without having to think about it). Every can or bottle is worth 10 cents in Oregon, and investing those funds with Embark is a sustainable way to give your account an extra boost.

A heart outline surrounded by four blue arrows rotating in a continuous cycle.

Recycle (and save) in bulk.
Returning cans and bottles can feel like another to-do. But returning your recyclables in bulk with the Green Bag program makes drop-off a breeze. Just purchase a roll of green bags, print out your bag tag stickers, and drop off your recycling at a participating location. BottleDrop will count your cans and bottles for you, and you’ll see the bags credited to your account within seven days.

Green drawstring bag icon with white bottles and a downward arrow, symbolizing collection or recycling.

Make it a community effort.
You can connect more than one BottleDrop account to a single Embark account. So it’s easy for loved ones to contribute their recycling deposits to your kid’s future education. You can also return up to 15 green bags every quarter, so picking up litter or collecting recyclables from neighbors and friends can help boost your savings, too.

Four distinctively colored chain links intertwined, symbolizing connection and unity.

“The BottleDrop program builds community. Our kiddos go around to our neighbors and collect bottles from friends. Being able to see that money show up on the back end and see the connection straight into their Embark savings is really satisfying.”

— John, Portland

Save for the future, whatever the weather.

Earth Month in Oregon is rainy, but don’t let those April showers get you down. With Embark’s Weather Savings Boosters, those gloomy days can now give you peace of mind for the future.

With a Weather Savings Booster, you can set up a small, automatic contribution to your Embark account that’s dependent on the weather. So every time there’s at least a 50% chance of rain, hail, sleet, or snow in your area (according to weather.gov), you can feel good about your future savings.

How to set up Weather Savings Boosters.

  1. Start by creating or signing in to your Embark account.
  2. Click the "Transfers" link at the top of the page.
  3. In the Contributions section, select “Weather Savings Booster” along with how much you'd like to contribute every time it drizzles, rains, or pours.

The Pacific Northwest is well known for its wet weather, so just a $5 contribution can really add up over time. With Weather Savings Boosters, those storm clouds in the forecast don’t have to dampen your day. Instead, they can help you develop healthy saving habits and grow your Embark account.

Save-For-The-Future-Image (2).png

A few more Earth Month saving details.

  1. Where can I find the nearest BottleDrop drop-off location?
    Check out BottleDrop's Location Finder to see your neighborhood's drop-off spot and hours of operation.
  2. Can I transfer my BottleDrop deposits to another state’s 529 account?
    No. Since BottleDrop is Oregon’s statewide container redemption program, their partnership is only with Embark.
  3. How do I select paperless billing?
    If you’re looking for another way to celebrate Earth Month, just log into your Embark account and edit your communication preferences to go paperless.
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