Recycling Refresher

Oregon's recycling contamination is 24%! This means close to 1 out of 4 items in the recycling don't belong. Recycling can be confusing, especially if it's been awhile since you've had a refresher! That's why we will be doing a multi-part series on recycling to help you relearn what's allowed and not allowed.  You can do your part and make sure you're recycling correctly. 

                                                                                 Part 1: Plastics!

What's new? These plastic items are newly allowed in curbside recycling! 

• Plastic caps - they must be screwed onto plastic bottles, jars, buckets, and jugs.  No loose or snap on caps allowed. 
• Plastic storage containers - lids can be included if snapped on. Must fit and fall loosely from your recycling cart when being serviced. Example: Plastic Rubbermaid container. 

Accepted These plastic items are allowed in curbside recycling! 

• Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs - only include these items if they are 2 inches  by 2 inches or larger. Screw on lids can be left on plastic bottles and jugs, but snap on lids should be removed and discarded in your garbage. Examples: water bottles, milk jugs, yogurt tubs.
• Plastic buckets and pails - if these items can fit loosely in your curbside cart, they can be included. 
• Rigid plastic nursery pots - only include these if they are 2 inches by 2 inches or larger.

Common plastic contaminants found in curbside recycling. Leave these out!

• Film plastic - this includes bread bags, grocery bags, produce bags, etc. We accept film plastic at our recycle depot for no charge. 
• Clamshell plastic - this includes berry containers, plastic to-go containers, etc. We accept #1 PET clamshell plastic (must be clear and hinged on one side) at our recycle depot for no charge. 
• Hoses, cords, Christmas lights - these tanglers are not accepted in your curbside recycling cart and can cause problems for the recycling processors sorting machinery. Christmas lights are accepted at our recycling depot, large bulbs must be removed prior to recycling. 
• Plastic cups, plates, utensils, straws - unlike plastic bottles, jugs and tubs, these items are often made from a different type of plastic that is not accepted by our recycling processor. 
• Plastic kids toys - these are often made of mixed materials and include different types of mixed plastics, rubber or foam, electronic components, metal screws, etc. If the plastic toy is still usable, consider selling, donating, or giving it to a friend/family member. If it's broken and no longer usable, place in your garbage. Remember to remove any batteries prior to placing in your garbage cart. 
• Jugs contaminated with motor oil, pesticides, etc. - if a plastic container held hazardous material such as motor oil, pesticides, etc., do not include it in your recycling. 
• Small plastic items - any item smaller than 2 inches by 2 inches does not belong in your curbside recycling, it's too small for the recycling processors sorting machinery to properly sort.