Oregon’s Producer-Funded Recycling Program Provides Cities A Pathway To Cleaner Waste Streams

Key Takeaways

Oregon has launched its first RecycleOn Center, part of a statewide program for producer-funded recycling drop-off sites.
The program is designed to improve recycling access and reduce contamination in curbside bins.
By 2027, over 140 drop-off centers are expected to be available, with a goal of 95% of residents living within 15 miles of a site.

Oregon Launches RecycleOn Centers

Oregon has initiated its first recycling drop-off center as part of a broader extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for packaging. Operated by the Circular Action Alliance (CAA), this program aims to enhance recycling by providing free, producer-funded RecycleOn Centers across the state. These drop-off sites are specifically designed for materials that are deemed “tricky-to-sort” and cannot be included in standard curbside recycling.

The initial RecycleOn Center opened in Ashland, Oregon, and is expected to be the first of more than 140 such locations by the end of 2027. These centers will accept items like plastic bags, lids, plastic buckets, shredded paper, and foil—materials that residents struggle to recycle through traditional methods.

Launched in July, Oregon’s EPR program is a pioneering effort in the United States aimed at reforming recycling systems for the majority of the state’s population. The program seeks to both expand curbside recycling access to over 150,000 households and businesses and establish specialized recycling locations for non-standard materials.

Kieran Nashad, a communications specialist for CAA, emphasized that the drop-off centers are vital for reducing contamination in curbside recycling bins. The state law also mandates that these depots meet certain convenience standards, ensuring that residents have reasonable access to recycle materials.

CAA aims to have 95% of Oregonians living within 15 miles of a recycling depot. The RecycleOn depot map highlights 17 locations in the southwest region of the state, with some sites conveniently located at grocery stores, thrift stores, and credit unions. Existing haulers, such as Republic Services, will also offer co-located depots at transfer stations and recycling facilities.

To successfully engage communities with the new drop-off centers and other changes to recycling systems, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has initiated a comprehensive public outreach campaign. This includes the introduction of a RecycleOn awareness campaign, a dedicated website, and advertisements on various media platforms such as search engines, broadcast and cable TV, podcasts, and public radio. Billboards and transit ads have been deployed across Oregon’s Willamette Valley and Southern Oregon to further heighten awareness.

Future campaigns are also planned to focus on reducing contamination and encouraging participation in curbside recycling, as well as utilizing the RecycleOn Centers. This multi-faceted approach reflects the commitment to cultivate a culture of recycling while improving overall environmental wellness in the state.

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