Oregon makes recycling history

(JULY 14, 2025)  Recycling is common in the Portland area, but not everyone in Oregon has the same access. Some places have good recycling services, and others do not. Also, people are often confused about what they can recycle.

On July 1, 2025, Oregon became the first U.S. state to start a new law called the Recycling Modernization Act. This law makes companies more responsible for the packaging, paper, and food containers they produce. Companies must help pay for recycling and make sure their products are recycled in a safe way.

The law will:

• Add more recycling drop-off locations.

• Improve current recycling centers.

• Create one list for the whole state showing what can and cannot be recycled.

This law is an example of extended producer responsibility. That means companies are responsible for their products from the time they are sold until they are thrown away or recycled. Companies will now pay fees based on the materials they use. This will encourage them to use less plastic or wasteful packaging.

Other places, like Canada and some European countries, already have similar laws. States like California, Colorado, and Washington are also planning similar programs. In Oregon, a group called Circular Action Alliance will make sure companies follow the rules.

Recycling is not just about throwing items in a bin. After collection, materials are taken to a facility, sorted, and sold to businesses (called end markets) that make new things. In the past, many recyclables went to China, but this changed in 2018 when China stopped accepting many materials due to pollution. Now, Oregon wants to make sure recyclables go to places that protect the environment and local communities.

Some items are not accepted in Oregon because they are too hard to recycle or there is no market for them. The new law requires companies to send materials only to places that recycle responsibly.

The law will not change things right away. It was passed in 2021, and full changes will take several years. Improvements will start behind the scenes: better recycling centers, more drop-off sites, and more types of items accepted for recycling — such as Styrofoam, plastic film, and buckets.

City, county, and state agencies will work together to make recycling better for everyone in Oregon.