Oregon’s New Recycling Modernization Act: Increasing Trust and Creating Profitable Recycling Services

Photo of a Republic Services facility

On July 1 of this year, Oregon will become the first state in the U.S. to launch a new recycling plan that will:

  • expand the number of things most of us can recycle, 
  • provide residential recycling pickup service to city and rural customers in all parts of the state, 
  • require owners and managers of multi-unit housing to provide recycling for residents,
  • improve public education about recycling, 
  • require certification of recycling operations to verify that their products are really being recycled,
  • enable upgrades to the facilities that process recycled materials, and 
  • require producers of plastic and paper products to form a Producer Cooperative through which they will pay part of the cost of recycling, enough to provide funding to enable recycling facilities to upgrade equipment and make up for fluctuations in market prices,
  • spur changes in packaging as manufacturers discover that making packaging easy to recycle saves them money.

For collectors, materials recycling facilities, final processors and especially manufacturers of plastic packaging and tableware, that means quite a change is coming. This bill will require manufacturers to share the cost of recycling plastics and paper products as well as help support and stabilize the recycling markets. 

In 2021, the Oregon Legislature passed the law that created this change (SB 582), officially named the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act. Oregon was the first state that addressed the issue. Since then, four others have signed packaging Extender Producer Responsibility (EPR) bills into law—Maine, Colorado, California and Minnesota. The law required the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to draft rules to implement it by 2024. DEQ met that deadline, and since then it has been soliciting comments from the participants to ensure that the rules would be practical and that the companies affected by the bill would be able to comply.

Now DEQ has set the date when the new law will take effect: July 1, 2025.

In compliance with the new law, manufacturers that produce $5 million or more worth of paper, packaging and food serviceware have formed their Producer Responsibility Organization in Oregon called the CAA. Manufacturers will pay into the CAA, which will distribute the funds to the Materials Recovery Facilities and end recyclers to pay for upgrades to their equipment, which they will need to ensure the material they sell back to recycling process plants is clean, uniform and free of dirt, grease or food particles that would contaminate it and prevent recycling. 

To understand how important this new system is, it helps to trace the path of the things we place in our curbside bins through their journey to becoming new products. Republic Services picks up our bins from the cans we place in front of our homes and takes the contents to a recovery facility (MRF) on Swan Island run by a company called EFI. EFI buys the mixed material that we put in our cans from Republic, separates them into newsprint, office paper, corrugated cardboard (OCC), milk and soup boxes, glass bottles, plastic bottles and batteries.  

Once the items are separated, EFI sells each material to a different recycling plant, such as a local cardboard mill, the mixer that breaks down milk cartons or the big plastic pellet manufacturers in the midwest and east coast. At each of those buy-sell points, prices vary according to several factors, among them the cleanliness of the goods, supply and demand for them and uniformity over a group of loads.

Oregon’s new law will boost recycling work around the state by ensuring that separation facilities like EFI and Pioneer, who buy the recycled material we place in our  cans, can sell their separated products on the market, regardless of price fluctuations. Under the new law and with their new equipment, separation yards such as EFI and Pioneer will be able to meet the standards of their customers, who often refuse shipments of separated materials because they are too dirty to process or don’t meet other specifications. 

Summary of the Law

The act requires producers with annual sales of $5 million or more to form a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) that will fund improvements to the system and ensure the recyclables that are collected go to responsible end markets. 

The producer responsibility organization (the CAA in Oregon) will use producer membership fees to ensure better and expanded recycling services. It will also fund waste prevention grants and studies to assess challenges and recommend solutions to improve recycling in condos and apartment complexes, equity in the recycling system, as well as clean up litter and marine debris.

The State of Oregon will establish one statewide list of what can be recycled by the franchised garbage haulers like Republic so that individuals and businesses can recycle the same items everywhere in the state.

Local governments, especially in rural areas, will expand their recycling services with direction and support from the PRO, and cities will do the same for people living in apartments and condos. The same private collection companies (i.e., garbage haulers) will continue to provide curbside pickup for recycling in cities where they already do that – including in Lake Oswego.

PRO(s) will create accessible educational resources that local governments can use to discourage contamination and encourage recycling 

Processing of recyclable materials will be done in facilities that meet new performance standards, including material quality, reporting and paying living wages to facility workers. These facilities will be required to obtain permits from DEQ or meet similar standards before they can receive recyclable material from Oregon communities.

End markets that can handle the material appropriately – without creating plastic pollution – can purchase the materials that these facilities process and recycle them into new products. Producers will be obligated to make sure materials collected in Oregon reach responsible end markets.

Oversight and Integration

A new governor-appointed advisory council will provide feedback to DEQ and the PRO(s) about important elements of this new recycling system, including the statewide collection list. DEQ will oversee the recycling system and provide enforcement where necessary. The PRO(s), processors and local governments will track and report more and better information about where our recyclables go and provide assurance that they are used to make new products.

How You Can Reduce Your Trash Bill

Curbside garbage and recycling bins

By Susan Mead, LOSN Volunteer

The Lake Oswego garbage, recycling and yard debris with food waste rates have increased as of February 2025. The new rates are available to review at the city’s website: https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/recycle/garbage

There are several ways  you can lower your monthly  cost and take advantage of free services:

  •  If you have weekly service for a 65-gallon or 90-gallon trash roll cart and do not fill it more than half full every week.

SOLUTION: Consider going to a smaller roll cart from what you currently have. A 35-gallon trash roll cart service is almost 50% cheaper than the two largest sizes.

  •  If you have weekly service for the smallest roll cart (35-gallon) and usually don’t fill it.

SOLUTION: There are two great options if you already have the smallest roll cart. Consider getting a plastic insert in your 35-gallon roll cart to qualify for 20-gallon weekly trash pick-up, saving you 25% over your current bill. Alternatively, you can switch to a pick up of the 35-gallon roll cart once every 4 weeks, saving you over 40% compared to weekly pickup.   

  • You want to keep weekly service at your current roll-cart size because you put food waste in your yard debris bin and it gets too dirty/stinky.

SOLUTION: Did you know that Republic Services will swap out your yard debris roll cart once a year for free? Additional cleanings are available for a fee, but that fee may be less than you pay monthly for the larger trash roll cart.

  • If you travel more than three weeks at a time you can put your trash service on hold for a vacation credit while you are away.

SOLUTION: As long as you reach out to Republic Services ahead of your next service date and inform them of the weeks that you will not need services. You can put your trash/recycling service on hold and receive a vacation credit for the period you are skipping service if you are requesting it for at least three weeks in a row, up to 4 times in a calendar year. Note: Vacation credits will not be applied to Multi-family or Commercial customers.

In any of the scenarios above, the frequency of service and size of the recycling and mixed yard waste roll-carts do not change. Even if you cut your trash service to monthly, the other carts will still be picked up weekly.

  • If you need to keep your current size of trash roll cart because so much plastic is not recyclable in the curbside bin. Are there any options for this waste?

SOLUTION: In fact, there are places to take those non-curbside plastics both in Lake Oswego and in nearby jurisdictions. One recently opened location you can bring non-curbside plastics is the James Recycling Depot, located on Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway. Hours are limited, but they do open one Saturday every month. You can drop off clear plastic bags at nearly every supermarket, as well as clear plastic to-go containers (#1 PET) at any New Seasons location.

Finally, how do you make any of the changes suggested here? You can call Republic Services at 503-636-3011 or 844-737-8254 and request any changes you would like. Please note that the phone customer service hours are 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM Pacific Time Monday through Friday.

Ever wonder where your trash goes? Take a tour and find out

July 2024

Ever Wonder What Happens to Your Curbside Trash and Recycling? Now you can find out!

Please join the LOSN Materials Management Action Team for a 60-min tour of the material recovery facility operated by our residential hauler, Republic Services in Wilsonville.

Republic Service’s Materials Recovery Facility Tour

Friday Aug 9, 2024 ⋅ 11:30am – 12:30pm (Pacific Time – Los Angeles)

10295 SW Ridder Rd, Wilsonville, OR 97070, USA

There is a maximum of 30 participants who can attend. Please RSVP to Susan Mead at semead90@gmail.com. If you are interested in carpooling, please let Susan know.

Tour details:

  • Be sure to allow enough time to arrive for the tour start at 11:30 AM. Approiximately 30 minutes should be adequate from downtown Lake Oswego.
  • To join the walk-through of the facility, you must wear close-toed shoes. All needed personal protective equipment will be provided by Republic Services.

How should we care for our urban forest?

June 2024

Our Urban Forest

The trees of Lake Oswego define our urban forest, but we need to remember that trees do not function alone. What we do to enhance our landscapes has a huge impact on trees.  What is planted near our trees? How do we protect and improve the soil? How do our trees get watered? How do we prune our trees? How do we know our trees are healthy and don’t provide unnecessary risk?

All of these questions need to be answered if we are going to have a healthy urban forest. Each of us needs to take responsibility in taking care of our urban forest. This newsletter includes information to help find answers to those questions.

Annual Urban Forest Summit

Save the date for the Urban Forest Summit on Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 9:00 am to noon. We’ll be learning about how to care for our urban forest, and we will have professionals available to answer your questions. Registration will open in early September.

Tree Care in Summer

We may get a lot of rain in western Oregon but not in the summer. Add to that a changing climate that can prolong the summer drought, and our trees can face problems. How we water our trees can make a significant difference in tree and root health.

Tree Risk Assessment

This past winter weather caused major damage to many trees within Lake Oswego. Many of us are wondering if anything can be done to prevent such extensive damage in the future.  No one can control winter storms with high winds, but we can take care of our trees to reduce possible damage. An arborist trained in risk assessment can help determine how what your tree needs to reduce the chances of your tree losing a major branch or falling down. When you talk with an arborist, make sure they are trained in risk assessment.

Know Your Dirt

Trees are anchored by their roots. How we care for soil is very important in making sure our trees are healthy. Healthy soil retains water, supports the natural transfer of nutrients, and provides a stable base for tree roots. Check out what we need to do to maintain soil health.

You can also join the Oswego Lake Watershed Council’s annual Reveal Your Undies event on July 10th at 6:00 pm, at the West Waluga Park Picnic Shelter. They will have educational experiences to help you understand how to support healthy soil. Hope to see you there!

Sustainability in our schools

May 2024

Sustainability in Lake Oswego Schools

The Lake Oswego School District (LOSD) has embraced sustainability in many different ways – in its curriculum, in its new facilities, and as one of the four key pillars in its strategic plan. In this month’s newsletter, we’re sharing sustainability highlights from the 2023-24 school year.

Sustainability Curriculum

For the second year, Lakeridge and Lake Oswego high schools have offered elective classes on sustainability. Both high schools also have green teams to help promote sustainability within their school communities.

Testimony from LOHS student Brody Trost:

“My name is Brady Trost, and I was in Mrs. Foster’s Sustainability class this year. The Sustainability class is super fun, you go on a lot of field trips and learn a lot about the environment. Earlier in 1st semester, our class went to the PAE building in Portland. The building was an incredibly sustainable building, and they filtered their own water for consumption. Many people in the class said that the water tastes especially good there. Our class also went to Forest Hill Elementary as our final, and we got to read the students a book called We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom. The book talks about water and how Native American people wish to protect their water. Our class was lucky to read this book to two 5th grade classes… Overall, Sustainability is a really fun class, and you can make new friends.”

Pictured above: Lake Oswego High School’s solar flower, greenhouse and garden.

Testimony from LOHS student Lyra Johnson:

“My name is Lyra Johnson, and I’m this year’s Green Team president. Green Team is the LOHS environmental activism club, focused on service, stewardship and environmental education. I joined the club in my freshman year while looking for something to do during the pandemic, and have found that the events, activities and opportunities it offers provide huge relief against climate anxiety and hopelessness. From regular land tending events, where we pull ivy, pick up trash and plant native species, to educational opportunities around the community (such as the annual Tree Summit on November 4, where I met so many inspiring individuals crafting havens of biodiversity in their own backyards), Green Team allows students to contribute in whatever capacity interests them.”

Lakeridge High School opened its greenhouse and agricultural spaces in fall 2023. Thanks to a collaboration between Marketing and Farm to School, students in the class sell vegetable starts and vegetables that they grow in their campus farm beds.

Sustainability curriculum has also expanded to elementary and middle schools. All 5th graders participate in place-based Healthy Waters walking field trips from their individual campuses that are provided by the Oswego Lake Watershed Council. The gardens were refurbished at Lake Grove Elementary while Westridge Elementary designed and built new gardens.

Both middle schools will add a garden/horticulture elective this fall.

Pictured above: Raised beds and outdoor classroom at River Grove Elementary.

Sustainable Facilities

Earth Week Celebration

The LOHS Green Team planned and coordinated a week-long series of events in April. The goal was to bring students together with the common goal of learning, sharing, and doing service. Events included Land Tending, a showing and discussion of “Atomic Hope,” the Lake Oswego Sustainability Resource Fair, and the Asian Cultural Festival. They capped off the week with a picnic to celebrate in the outdoor classroom.

Materials management, what does that mean?

March 2024


Materials management – what does that mean?

It is thinking intentionally about what we buy; how we use, manage, and dispose of stuff.

In this newsletter you will learn and obtain insights about:

  • The R’s and practical ways to consume sustainably
  • The recently passed Right to Repair state legislation
  • Common questions regarding recyclable items directed to Amanda Watson, our City’s Sustainability manager
  • The status of the 2021 Oregon Recycling Modernization Act rulemaking.
  • Upcoming events and resources

The Rs

Most of us have heard the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Since that time, there have been creative extensions that include rethinking and refusing. What do these words really mean?   Why are they in a particular order? They are a hierarchy to represent what provides the greatest benefit: benefit to your pocketbook, benefit to the environment.

The ten questions on choosing products for sustainability, help guide thoughtful purchasing decisions.  The first question, Do I really need the product?  can result in thought-provoking alternatives such as sharing or borrowing, inventive solutions as well as more thoughtful and reduced consumption.

Read full story…


Right to repair bill creates opportunities for Lake Oswego residents

Remember when we used to go to the shoe repair shop? Or wait for the repairman to fix our TVs and washing machines? That era ended when the world of cheap goods arrived, and it became more convenient and affordable to toss things out. Repairmen went out of business, and a throwaway mentality took over our society. This even extends to pricey electronic devices. Even though we know about the cost of waste – the dirty oceans, methane escaping from landfills – we often feel forced to buy a new product even when a simple repair would do the trick.

The Oregon legislature just passed a first step solution to e-waste: they thumbed their noses at some of the big tech companies and passed the “Right to Repair” bill.

LOSN proudly sent testimony in support of this bill, which was co-sponsored by Senator Wagner, Representative Nguyen, and others. It is a triple bottom line winner: 1) Helping the environment by reducing e-waste, and cutting the pollution caused by the manufacturing of unneeded replacements, 2) Helping our society by providing more choices for consumers, reducing the digital divide by creating a market for used goods, and leading to new jobs for repairmen, and 3) Helping all of us to become more prosperous as we affordably fix our electronic equipment.

Advocates have been working on this bill since 2019. This year, the bill got bipartisan support, and goes farther than similar bills in other states. It includes:

  • A requirement that consumer electronics manufacturers make replacement parts, diagnostic tools, and repair manuals available to consumers and third-party repair shops.
  • A prohibition on tech companies blocking third-party components that could replace the manufacturers’ parts.
  • A prohibition on sending misleading alerts or warnings about the use of third-party parts to inhibit users.
  • A prohibition on inhibiting devices’ performance if consumers install third-party parts.
  • Penalties of up to $1,000 a day for violators.

This law builds on Oregon’s tradition of environmental leadership. So, as you buy your next phone, think carefully about the color, shape, and features that you like. That phone could or should be yours for a long, long time.


FAQs: Recycling in LO

Amanda Watson manages the city’s sustainability program, and that includes managing responsibly the waste the city and its people generate. To get answers to some of the recycling questions we all face weekly, we sent her a couple of questions, and she provided answers that we can all use.


For citizens who mean well and intend to recycle as much as we can, it can be daunting to remember exactly what is recyclable. And when we look at a plastic object, we may want to recycle it even though the chart on the refrigerator doesn’t mention it.

To find out many people call Amanda.

Read what Amanda says.


Oregon’s 2021 Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act Pushes Responsible Recycling Upstream to the Manufacturers and Expands the List of What You Can Recycle

For too long the manufacturers of plastics have evaded their responsibility for the piles of discarded plastics that plague the world in so many ways. But that era is coming to an end soon.

Back in 2021, Oregon’s legislature passed Senate Bill 582, the Recycling Modernization Act. It created a method to implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for the recyclability of packaging materials sold in Oregon. At that time, Oregon was only one of two states to enact a law of this kind, with Maine having been the first.

The Act directed the DEQ to establish a Recycling System Advisory Council, comprised of representatives from local governments, community-based organizations representing historically underserved groups, small businesses, the recycling industry, processors or material end users, and producers of the products specified in the act. The Council has been hard at work writing the rules that will make this Act a reality.

Read full story…


Resources

Clackamas County sustainability page: https://www.clackamas.us/sustainability

Clackamas county repair fair page: https://www.clackamas.us/recycling/repairfair

Just Porch It distributes useable clothing shoes, bedding, etc., to community groups. Textiles that aren’t usable are sent to be made into rags: https://justporchit.com/

Medication Take Back: https://medtakebackoregon.org/

Community Warehouse, Free Geek, ReStore, Rebuilding Center, SCRAP

New Season for plastic or James’ Events

Metro: https://www.oregonmetro.gov/tools-living/garbage-and-recycling

Metro Find a Recycler: https://www.oregonmetro.gov/tools-living/garbage-and-recycling/find-a-recycler

Repair Finder (includes more than Portland):https://www.portlandrepairfinder.com/

Ridwell Subscription: Picking up hard-to-recycle items:  https://www.ridwell.com/

Upcoming Events

Repair Fairs in Clackamas County
  • Lake Oswego April 6, 2024, Adult Community Center, 505 G Ave, Lake Oswego. 10 am to 1pm.
  • Wilsonville April 27, 2024, Wilsonville Library, 8200 SW Wilsonville Rd., Wilsonville. 10 am to 1 pm.
  • Happy Valley May 4, 2024, Happy Valley Library, 13793 SE Sieben Park Way, Happy Valley. 10am to 1pm.
  • Molalla- June 8, 2024, Molalla Library, 201 E 5th St., Molalla. 11am to 2 pm.
  • Canby- July 20, 2024, Canby Library, 220 NE 2nd Ave, Canby. 10 am to 1 pm.
  • Estacada- August 10, 2024, Estacada Library, 825 NW Wade St., Estacada. 11 am to 2 pm.
  • Milwaukie at the Milwaukie Sustainability Fair. September 7, 2024. 10723 SE Main St., Milwaukie. 10 am to 2 pm.  The Sustainability Fair is 10 am to 3 pm.
  • This will be outside in the parking lot where the farmer’s market is located.
  • Oregon City- October 5, 2024 -Oregon City Library, 606 John Adams St., Oregon City. 10 am to 1 pm.
  • Sandy Library November 2, 2024, Sandy Library, 38980 Proctor Blvd., Sandy. 10 am to 1 pm.
  • 4/20 Lake OSwego Resource Sustainability Fair
  • 4/20 Planet Con PCC Rock Creek Campus. Sustainability Fair. Collection, resource table, free swap table, repair fair: https://www.planetcon.org/

Many thanks to Amanda Watson, Jim Newcomer, Dorothy Atwood, Colleen Johnston and Susan Mead, Master Recycler, for her contributions to this newsletter.