Recycling and Waste Prevention Overview

Recycling in Oregon is regulated through the Opportunity to Recycle Act and later the Oregon Recycling Act contained in ORS 459A.  These laws mandate levels of recycling services that municipalities must offer to citizens.  Recycling in Eugene enjoys tremendous community support shown through the estimated 90 percent participation rate for residential curbside pickup.  This is in large part due to the progressive actions of area haulers to implement recycling services over the years, culminating in the roll-out of commingled service in 2004 (the big roll carts).  Commingled recycling provides higher system efficiencies, is cost effective, reduces labor costs and injury rates. The Oregon 1991 Legislature mandated that each wasteshed be analyzed in a state-wide Material Recovery Survey conducted by Oregon DEQ.  The revised recovery (recycling) goals for 2009 are 50% recovery at the state level and a 54% recovery rate for the Lane County wasteshed.  For the 2007 year, Lane County’s recovery rate was 53.5% totally 1,421 lbs/per person average recovery rate.  To meet the state mandates for recovery, the City of Eugene Solid Waste and Green Building Program is utilizing the service models outlined in the guide2Green program including outreach and education, technical assistance and training, and grants and incentives.  By implementing this three-fold approach, we are looking to increase community awareness on the continued economic and environmental benefits of recycling.