Senate Bill 582, the 2021 Recycling Modernization Act, has passed both chambers and now moves to the governor’s desk for her signature.  

The bill, created as a work product of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)  Recycling Steering Committee, conducts a comprehensive overhaul of Oregon’s recycling system. Broadly, SB 582 provides significant benefit and expanded recycling opportunities to rural and remote communities, protects ratepayers, maintains existing roles of local governments and their franchised or licensed haulers, and helps Oregonians reduce waste and protect the environment.  

Wasco County Commissioner Steve Kramer, who also serves as chair of the Tri-County Household Hazardous Waste and Recycling Program and spent 10 years working in the solid waste and recycling industry, was a thoughtful and outspoken champion of the bill this Session.  “Senate Bill 582 creates tools and processes that will benefit every corner of our state. This bill will also establish the Oregon Recycling System Advisory Council, which offers an opportunity to improve our partnership with DEQ to provide enhanced material management for Oregonians. And I’ll emphasize partnership — we all have a role to play,” said Kramer. 

Local governments will have four seats on the newly established 17-member Oregon Recycling Advisory Council, which will have significant oversight authority. 

Oregon’s current system of recycling costs ratepayers $223 million per year. The price tag on this aging system continues to increase and is passed on to ratepayers and local governments, who at the same time have seen a significant decrease in recycling opportunities in recent years. SB 582 establishes a statewide collection list and requires producers of covered products sold in Oregon retail establishments to join and pay an annual fee into a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO). The PRO is expected to raise approximately $83 million annually. The PRO collected fees are used to support transportation and freight costs for rural and remote communities, protect ratepayers, fund contamination reduction programs, and fund expanded recycling collection access.

Association of Oregon Counties (AOC) Legislative Affairs Manager, Mallorie Roberts engaged in months of negotiated amendment review and deliberation with a coalition of local governments and the Oregon Refuse and Recycling Association, a statewide trade association representing solid waste management companies in Oregon. AOC participation in shaping the bill was guided by AOC Legislative Committee adopted principles and priorities. As the policy work was finalized, AOC’s Legislative Committee unanimously approved the recommendation of the AOC Transportation and Community Development Steering Committee to support SB 582. 

AOC legislative affairs staff will continue to engage with DEQ and stakeholders through rulemaking and implementation. 

Background

The Recycling Steering Committee was formed in response to China’s 2018 implementation of a global ban on imports of certain products and imposition of an extremely strict contamination threshold. The objective of the committee was to provide recommendations on modernizing our state’s recycling systems to be stronger and more resilient to market changes. Local government solid waste experts participated heavily in the over two-year long steering committee process and were instrumental in crafting the proposal that eventually became the basis for SB 582 this Legislative Session. 

Follow the links below for more information about SB 582.

Contributed by: Mallorie Roberts | Legislative Affairs Manager