Oregon is going backwards for recycling. A higher percentage of recyclable and greenhouse gas producing Materials are going to Oregon landfills today than 20 years ago.
We have gone from recovering half of the materials we dispose to slightly more than a third, according to a recent report by Environment Oregon -- well below national averages, below Oregon recovery levels of 20 years ago, and below current and future state targets for materials used and the percentage of materials recovered (recycled).
A loss of domestic recycling capacity for pulp and paper; an increase in single use plastics, and the inclusion of large amounts of recoverable organic matter (food waste, etc) in our waste stream have heavily contributed to more materials going to landfills and a lower percentage of materials being recovered (recycled). Consumers are paying more for fewer materials recycled and recovered.
Oregonians are paying more for less recycling and recovery
According to a recent staff report to the House Energy and environment committee, Oregon communities are charging higher rates and accepting fewer materials curbside as recyclable. There is significant confusion among consumer ratepayers about what is currently recyclable and what is landfilled.
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Current and potential state policies contribute to more landfilling and less recycling and recovery.
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Because the state has a more relaxed regulatory framework, Oregon is a net importer of trash from other states, taking in 20% of Seattle's waste.
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Recoverable materials, including organics like food waste, wood pulp and construction debris make up more than half of the materials going to Oregon landfills.
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DEQ policies have reduced recycling target guidelines for counties and reduced the types of materials that are considered to be recyclable.
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DEQ’s solid waste program budget is based on tipping fees at Oregon landfills. This creates a conflict for the agency, since reducing solid waste going to landfills hurts the agency’s budget. That impact is felt strongly with respect to policies like HB 2020 which, if applied to landfills, would significantly reduce the amount of landfilling in the state. Other jurisdictions have adopted models of agency funding that do not encourage greater landfilling of materials and do more to ensure that manufacturers take greater responsibility for the disposal of the products they sell.