Following years of interim stakeholder engagement on the modernization of Oregon’s recycling system, the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment teed up the official legislative conversation on policy options for the implementation during a public hearing, late February. 

The hearing, held February 23, kicked off with informational presentations on product stewardship. Wasco County Commissioner Steve Kramer joined a panel of presenters to provide the county perspective on truth in labeling. The panel included the Oregon Refuse and Recycling Association, Rogue Disposal and Recycling, and Garten Services.

During the committee, hearings were opened on three bills covering various aspects of the recycling system and stewardship.

Senate Bill 582, brought to fruition through the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Recycling Steering Committee, provides a platform for comprehensive changes to Oregon’s recycling system.

Currently, SB 582 contains placeholder language. It is anticipated the bill will be amended with the steering committee recommendations before moving out of the legislative committee. 

The recommendations, reflected in the -1 amendment, require certain manufacturers of packaging, printed paper, and other covered products to participate in a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) to help finance costs associated with disposal and recycling of materials. In addition, funds collected through the PRO could be used for public education to reduce contamination in recycling, for transportation costs associated with transferring products to processing facilities, and to expand recycling collection service, including for multifamily properties. Through the amendment, SB 582, will also establish an Oregon Recycling System Advisory Council and a process for the state to adopt a uniform statewide collection list of materials that are eligible to be recycled. The bill would also incorporate truth in labeling language, prohibiting materials from being labeled as recyclable if the product is not accepted for recycling by a majority of recycling services in the state.  

The other bills discussed include SB 14 and  SB 581.  SB 14 would establish a product stewardship program for plastic packaging and plastic food service ware.  SB 581 would prohibit the distribution or sale of products that make “deceptive or misleading claims” about the recyclability of a product. The bill speaks specifically to products that are labeled with the commonly-utilized “chasing-arrows” symbol, and requires that the symbol, and similar symbols, only be utilized if a product is accepted for collection by a majority of recycling collection services in the state.

During the public hearing, Wasco County Commissioner Steve Kramer provided public testimony in support of a modernized system that prioritizes AOC’s recently adopted principles.  

AOC joined a local government coalition letter in support of comprehensive recycling legislation this session.  Lane, Wasco, Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington counties also signed on to the letter of support individually.

AOC engagement with the current legislative conversation around modernizing Oregon’s recycling system is guided by member-adopted principles that closely mirror those of the DEQ Recycling Steering Committee. Deschutes County Solid Waste Director, Timm Schimke represented AOC on the steering committee. Schimke was instrumental in drafting the concept for the significantly improved recycling system that still maintains existing relationships and infrastructure and ensures costs are not passed on to local governments and consumers. 

Counties are encouraged to review the amendment language to SB 582, as it will have broad impact on recycling systems across the state. An overview and frequently asked questions resource can be found on DEQ’s website.

AOC legislative affairs staff will continue to update members though the AOC Transportation and Community Development Steering Committee.  

Contributed by: Mallorie Roberts | Legislative Affairs Manager