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The Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (RMA) will update Oregon’s outdated recycling system by building on local community programs and leveraging the resources of producers to create an innovative system that works for everyone. The Oregon legislature passed the Recycling Modernization Act (Senate Bill 582) during the 2021 legislative session. The new law became effective Jan. 1, 2022 and recycling program changes will start in July 2025.
Oregon’s Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (RMA) is a statewide law created to make recycling more efficient, environmentally responsible, and consistent across all Oregon communities. It also encourages smarter packaging design to reduce waste. Many initial improvements will take place behind the scenes, like upgrading recycling facilities, creating better tracking systems to renew public confidence in the system, and eventually leading to all communities in Oregon having the opportunity to recycle the same items from the convenience of their home and work.
Starting July 1, 2025, Oregon’s recycling system will begin its largest upgrade in decades. Consumers will no longer bear the full burden of recycling; brands, like Amazon and Proctor & Gamble, will be held financially accountable for the environmental impacts of their packaging, paper, and food serviceware products in the state which will allow for investments in our recycling infrastructure. While some changes will start right away, others may not take effect until 2027 or later.
Summary of RMA Elements:
Brands will work with the state’s approved producer responsibility organization (PRO), Circular Action Alliance (CAA) to implement the approved program plan facilitating the rollout of RMA. They will manage the statewide efforts and provide general recycling information on their statewide webpage www.RecycleOn.org/Oregon. For those areas of the state with robust recycling (like Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties), much will remain the same, including our local recycling, glass, yard debris, and garbage webpages, guides, and information.
Unlike some parts of Oregon, Clackamas County residents are already able to recycle at home and work. For the most part, what we can recycle is not changing. However, the changes taking place are expected to lead to additional items being added to our recycling list in the years to come. To keep our recycling system strong, it’s important we place only acceptable materials in our recycling bins. Review the recycle guide (available in seven languages online) to be reminded of what items belong in which bin. When we all do our part to reduce, reuse, and then recycle right, we help reduce the energy needed to make new products, conserve natural resources, prevent pollution, and create jobs.
Here is a list of the minor changes to take place in Clackamas County beginning July 1, 2025:
Changes that Clackamas County residents will see in the coming years:
Like RMA, other extended producer responsibility (ERP) programs exist in Oregon. With EPR, similar to RMA, producers are responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, especially at the end of their useful life (collection, recycling, disposal). Other EPR programs in the state include:
Prevent wasted food, repurpose and redistribute, and then dispose to conserve water, energy, and resources.
Food is a big part of our daily lives and is important for our health and wellbeing. It's also a major part of the economy, through farming, processing, transporting, storing, and managing food, but the way we produce and use food can negatively affect the environment and society. By making the most of our food—especially by preventing food waste—we can get more benefits and create less harm.
Environmentally, food is one of the most significant materials in our system. It's estimated that 40% of all food produced or imported in the US is never consumed. Annually, 5.9 trillion gallons of freshwater and 140 million acres of agriculture land are wasted on food that is never consumed. Food in landfills also account for 58% of greenhouse gas emissions, and in Oregon, represent 16% of material in our landfills (Oregon DEQ). The impacts of food waste add up and it doesn't only impact our environment, it also wastes labor, energy, resources, and money along the way.
Preventing food waste is one of the most impactful ways you can reduce environmental impacts and save money. Did you know that each year, the average family of four spends over $2,900 on food that never gets consumed?
Below are a few steps you/your household could consider to start making small changes to how you shop, store, and think about making your food last longer. Start small, add as you can, and find a plan that works for your situation – any little bit helps.
Shop at home first
Stick to your plan
Prep right from the store
Freeze food for later
Keep it separated
Additional tips
Most refrigerators have specific design elements to maximize the lifespan of your food. Understand your refrigerator's design and see where and how you should be storing your food.
Keep track of leftovers
Get creative
Don't be confused by the date labels
Start by making changes in the way you shop for, prepare, and store your food. Small actions can make a big difference!
Request free physical resources for preventing wasted food by emailing wasteinfo@clackamas.us.
When it comes to peels, shells, bones, and coffee grounds, (and more), disposal is inevitable. Use various at-home composting methods (compost tumblers, stationary compost bins, worm bins, etc.) to decompose your food scraps. Find more information and tips on home composting through Metro or OSU Extension Service's Master Gardener program.
Residents within the city limits of Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, and Wilsonville can include food waste in their yard waste bins. Including food waste in your yard waste bin outside those city limits may result in a fee from your garbage and recycling company.
Learn more on our Recycle Guide page.
New Oregon laws make it easier than ever for restaurants, food carts, and grocery stores to use reusable dishware and accept customers' cups and to-go containers. Learn how to choose reusables: It's good for your business, your customers, and your bottom line.
Save Money
Restaurants and grocery stores that make the switch to reusable dishware, cups, and cutlery can reduce their purchasing and garbage costs, saving money every month.
For example, coffee shops can save thousands of dollars per year. Read about how one coffee shop saw a savings of over $6,800 per year by switching to reusables.
Reduce Waste
Reusables can be washed and sanitized thousands of times. That means thousands fewer single-use items in the trash.
Customer sSatisfaction
Switching to reusable serviceware can enhance your image, demonstrate your commitment to being environmentally friendly, and offer a better customer experience.
More than ever, customers want to support businesses that go above and beyond in their sustainability efforts. Offering and promoting reusables is a simple, tangible way to show customers you care about reducing waste.
Check out the Choose to Reuse Fact Sheet for tips and tools.
A new way to cut waste and costs
Thanks to Oregon's new law, customers can now bring their own containers to participating restaurants, food carts, grocery stores and other retail food establishments when purchasing food, grabbing to-go orders, or packing up leftovers. While this isn't a requirement of businesses, encouraging customers to bring their own containers saves money, reduces waste, and makes sustainability-minded customers happy.
Last year, 41% of Portland's Nossa Familia Coffee customers brought their own cups or dined in, keeping 52,364 single-use cups out of landfills!
Let customers know you accept reusable containers by posting a BYO sign in a visible place.
These easy-to-follow guides will help you safely accept customers' reusable containers while following public health codes.
1. Read the Rules
2. Create a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
3. Train Staff
Find more details at:
Small appliances, small electronics, clean clothes and textiles.
Small appliances, small electronics, clean clothes and textiles. Electronics will also be collected for e-cycling.
Small appliance, small electronics, bicycles, clean clothes, and textiles.
Paint giveaway event for households and businesses in the Oak Grove area.
PaintCare is giving away leftover paint in good condition to households and businesses as a part of Oregon's statewide paint stewardship program. Attendees can browse partially-filled containers of a variety of latex- and oil-based paints, primers, and stains. Color options and quantities will vary throughout the event.
Registration is required.
Limit: 15 gallons of free paint per household.