Oregon Launches New Program to Streamline Recycling Statewide
RecycleOn Oregon to bring an upgraded recycling system, more services and better information to help more Oregonians recycle right and reduce waste.
PORTLAND, Ore. - This month, Oregon is starting to rollout a major statewide initiative to expand access to recycling and bring greater clarity and consistency to communities across the state. Backed by the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (RMA), RecycleOn Oregon is a new public awareness campaign that will help Oregonians stay informed, recycle correctly and prepare for the most significant recycling system upgrade the state has seen in decades.
The RMA, passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2021, brings together brands that make and sell products in paper and packaging, local governments and recycling companies to modernize how materials are collected, sorted and recycled. It establishes a shared responsibility model where brands will begin helping fund upgrades to Oregon’s recycling infrastructure with changes rolling out now and continuing over the next few years.
To lead implementation of this work, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) selected Circular Action Alliance (CAA), a nonprofit Producer Responsibility Organization, an entity that helps brands meet recycling and waste reduction requirements. CAA is leading the RecycleOn Oregon campaign and is working with local partners to help communities prepare for the changes ahead.
“Oregonians have always taken recycling seriously, but until now, the system hasn’t always made it easy to do the right thing,” said Kim Holmes, Oregon Executive Director at CAA. “RecycleOn Oregon aims to simplify recycling across the state. Over the next few years Oregonians will have access to clearer information, more consistent services and a stronger system that reduces waste and keeps more materials out of the landfill.”
What’s Changing
Oregon currently generates an estimated 2.2 million pounds of recyclable material each day that never gets recycled, largely due to limited access to recycling services, gaps in infrastructure or confusion about what can be recycled. RecycleOn Oregon aims to address these challenges through targeted investments and statewide coordination.
Over the next few years, key improvements will include:
Moving toward a single statewide recycling list so that Oregonians—whether urban or rural—can recycle the same core materials.
Expanded access to recycling services, including curbside recycling for more than 150,000 additional households and nearly 100 new recycling trucks to support collection.
Updated recycling education with clear, consistent instructions on what can and cannot go in home and business recycling bins.
New RecycleOn Centers opening in phases through 2027 will provide drop-off options for materials that don’t belong in recycling bins, like plastic bags, plastic lids and other tricky-to-sort items.
What to Expect
Starting this month, some Oregonians will see immediate changes to what’s accepted in their home or business recycling bins. Others, particularly in the Portland Metro area, will notice little difference at first. Over time, updates will roll out statewide, with the goal of 95% of Oregonians living within 15 miles of a RecycleOn Center by the end of 2027. Additionally, new investments will upgrade recycling sorting facilities and improve transportation from rural areas, helping more collected materials reach the markets where they can become new products.
To help residents and businesses navigate this transition, local governments and recycling providers will also share timely and area-specific updates.
Recycling plays an important role in conserving natural resources, reducing pollution and supporting local jobs—and more than 80% of Oregonians say it’s important. These updates help turn that belief into real impact by making recycling easier, more accessible and ultimately more effective.
To learn more about the Recycling Modernization Act and what to expect, visit RecycleOn.org/Oregon.
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About RecycleOn Oregon
Oregon is taking bold steps to create a more effective and accessible recycling system through the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (RMA), a groundbreaking law designed to expand access to recycling, reduce contamination and ensure producers take greater responsibility for the materials they create.
RecycleOn Oregon is the statewide campaign created by Circular Action Alliance (CAA) with help from local governments, service providers, and community members to help Oregonians understand, engage with and navigate these changes. CAA is leading education and outreach efforts to help local governments and service providers prepare communities for the upcoming updates, which start to take effect July 2025. Learn more at RecycleOn.org/Oregon.
Media Contact:
Cassidy Monda
503-320-3588