I mentioned in our most recent flyer that our recycling system in Oregon has gotten an upgrade which is great news. It went through major changes a few years ago when we quit being able to send our recylables overseas for processing.
Passage of the Recycling Modernization Act (2021) went into affect on July 1, 2025. The bill will make recycling easier with more materials to recycle, expand access especially in rural areas, and it will pay to upgrade sorting facilities throughout the state.
Some notable items that can now be recycled include asceptic containers like those for soups and oat milks, several grades of plastic tubs (unfortunately only the tubs are recyclable and not the lids), and gardening pots and plastic buckets of certain sizes. Refer to your local haulers information for exact details.
Producers & manufacturers of packaged goods, paper products and food serviceware pay for the program through fees assessed on the volume of material made in or sent into the state. Data is tracked through required membership in an approved Producer Responsibility Organization.
See the chart to the right and more resources for Lane County (in English or Spanish) or your local hauler for specific details on how the changes are rolling out in your area. One step at at a time, we can make this world a better place to live. Keep it up!