Bend, OR – The Environmental Quality Commission (EQC), the governing body of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), has officially adopted new rules to implement the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act. The decision was made during the commission’s meeting on November 22, 2024, marking a significant step in modernizing Oregon’s recycling system.

The new regulations are designed to improve Oregon’s recycling infrastructure and expand access to recycling services across the state. The update includes upgrades to recycling sorting facilities and aims to create significant environmental benefits by reducing plastic pollution and other harmful materials in the waste stream.

The Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, which was originally passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2021 through Senate Bill 582, requires manufacturers and producers of paper, packaging, and food serviceware to help fund the necessary improvements. These producers will contribute financially to ensure that the state’s recycling system operates efficiently and effectively.

“Oregon has long been recognized as a leader in recycling,” said Leah Feldon, DEQ director. “The Recycling Modernization Act will make recycling easier for households and bring greater transparency and accountability to the system. People and businesses will know that when they set something out for recycling, it actually gets safely recycled.”

The adopted rules clarify the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders, including producers, local governments, recycling processors, and a new non-profit producer responsibility organization. Among the key highlights of the new regulations are:

• Performance Standards for Sorting Facilities: The rules set performance benchmarks for the facilities that sort recyclable materials in Oregon, ensuring efficiency and quality in the recycling process.
• Fees to Support Recycling Infrastructure: New fees will be established to fund necessary investments in Oregon’s recycling processing infrastructure, aiming to improve the state’s ability to handle and process recyclables.
• Support for Reuse Programs: The rules introduce a fee to fund initiatives aimed at supporting Oregon’s reuse economy, which is expected to deliver environmental benefits that surpass traditional recycling.
• Environmental Impact Standards: Manufacturers of paper, packaging, and food serviceware will be required to meet standards designed to evaluate the environmental impact of their products, with the goal of reducing waste and pollution.
• Incentives for Sustainable Practices: The rules also create a mechanism to lower fees for manufacturers who reduce the environmental impact of their products, incentivizing more sustainable production practices.

Cheryl Grabham, DEQ Materials Management Program Manager, expressed optimism about the potential of the new rules. “The new rules set a solid foundation for important updates to Oregon’s recycling system,” she said. “Combined with many other milestones achieved, we are primed for a successful rolling launch to bring modern, convenient, responsible recycling to Oregon.”

With these new regulations in place, Oregon is poised to take another step forward in its long-standing commitment to sustainability, offering a model for other states seeking to tackle plastic pollution and improve recycling systems.