“Is this recyclable?”
If you’ve ever found yourself asking this question, you’re not alone. From paper to glass, plastic, cardboard, and everything in between, we’ve all come across those items that make us hesitate before tossing.
Portlanders pride themselves in practicing waste consciousness, but many of us may struggle to identify recyclable products in our day-to-day life. In other cases, lack of local access to adequate facilities may prevent everyday consumers from adhering to best practices for proper disposal.
Fortunately, there is hope. In 2021, the Oregon State Legislature passed Senate Bill 582 dubbed the Recycling Modernization Act (RMA). Set to take effect Summer 2025, the RMA is the first of its kind in the country, ushering in a new era of waste disposal and recycling through the implementation of expanded public access to services along with improvements to sorting facilities. Producers and manufacturers of packaged items, paper products and food serviceware will see greater accountability through imposed fees and potential penalties. Sorting facilities will earn assurances and incentives for receiving and processing co-mingled waste.
Oregon is leading the way as the proving grounds for recycling modernization and COR is set to take on an integral role in that new landscape as its Portland campus has been selected to house Circular Action Alliance’s (CAA) local offices.
As the only Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) in the U.S. approved to implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws for paper and packaging, CAA is singularly positioned to guide producers and consumers through Oregon’s RMA implementation. By working closely with business leaders and local governments the CAA is able to establish standards, procedures, and operating frameworks that ensure compliance with EPR laws.
Let’s take a closer look at how the RMA will impact Oregonian business and consumers alike.
The Public
Starting in 2025, Oregonians across the state will see improvements to their recycling services and processes.
Rural communities will have an expanded list of acceptable items, similar to other major urban areas. Organizations like the CAA are currently publishing Uniform Statewide Collection Lists to help educate the public about accepted materials. The RMA will also establish end-market transparency ensuring that recyclable goods are turned back into raw materials without harm to the environment or community.
Beyond streamlined curbside recycling, Oregonians will have greater access to expanded services and collection sites including mobile events run by local governments, non-profit groups, and PROs. Soon, those difficult-to-sort items like plastic bags, plastic lids, and aerosol cans will all be able to be easily disposed of at convenient local collection points.
During your next shopping trip, you may also see a greater number of environmentally friendly packaging thanks to a combination of incentives and fees imposed on manufacturers.
Businesses
Producers and manufacturers of paper products, packaging, and food serviceware that have a global revenue of $5,000,000 or more OR place more than one metric ton of packaged product into the Oregon market annually will be required to join a PRO through a paid membership program.
The PRO will enforce RMA compliance through a shared responsibility model based on increased oversight, tracking, and a graduated penalty/incentive system on packaged goods. Producers will pay higher fees for packaging that causes the most environmental harm, while packaging with the least amount of environmental impact will be assessed the lowest tier of fees.
Importantly, the new requirements will apply to businesses both inside and outside Oregon.
Oregon producers will pay fees to the PRO for materials sold in Oregon – not anything shipped outside of the state. Out-of-state producers will also pay fees for anything sold into Oregon.
Other Oregon businesses will also see improvements to their standards and procedures thanks to the Uniform Statewide Collection list along with more convenient access to local collection points.
Recycling processors and sorting facilities like COR will enjoy more certainty and stability through increased oversight including permitting, contamination auditing, and increased compensation for sorting and transporting.
Additional Resources
- You can review Circular Action Alliance’s complete approved program plan here.
- Visit the Oregon DEQ’s YouTube page for short videos and more information about the RMA.
- Click here to find out more about COR’s services and mission to Divert WASTEful Thinking.