January 2, 2008

Oregon Forecasts Container Recycling Rate Topping 25% this Year

The state of Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality says that it expects the 2008 aggregate recycling rate for rigid plastic containers is expected to remain greater than 25 percent for this year.

The recycling rate for rigid plastic containers in Oregon was 27.8 percent in 2006, greater than the 25.3 percent recycling rate for 2005. The two main reasons for this increase are:

1. Higher prices paid for recycled plastics have led to increased collections, particularly for specific types such as plastic buckets and flower pots and trays.

2. Curbside and other public recycling programs have expanded to use larger containers for collecting recyclables, and also have expanded the types of plastic containers being recycled to include tubs, buckets, and plastic flower pots.

The Oregon DEQ also notes that the city of Portland and some other jurisdictions are expected to begin using large roll-carts to collect recyclables and also begin collecting tubs, buckets, and flower pots this year.

Also, the 2007 Oregon legislature amended the Oregon Bottle Bill to add water bottles, effective January 1, 2009. This action should substantially increase water bottle recycling starting in 2009.