Contributed by: Mark Nystrom, AOC Energy, Environment & Land Use Policy Manager
June 24, 2016
The Association of Oregon Counties Solid Waste Subcommittee met at Metro in Portland on June 24th. The Subcommittee discussed the ongoing efforts involved in DEQ’s Materials Management rulemaking for the Opportunity to Recycles, the E-Waste recycling program in Oregon, potential 2017 legislation regarding extended producer responsibility (EPR) for household hazardous waste and pharmaceuticals, and the lack of commodity markets for recycling and its impacts, particularly among rural counties. After the meeting some of the subcommittee members took the opportunity to tour Universal Recycling Technologies in Oregon City. This facility is where most of Oregon’s E-cycles products end up being processed. The group was particularly fascinated by the sheer volume of TVs and computer monitors being processed.