Recycling Refresher

As we discussed in Part 1, 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 when it comes to knowing which paper products are accepted. That's why we're continuing our 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. 

🆕 What's new? We've added an item and removed an item from curbside recycling.

• Pizza boxes - if they are "clean", minimal grease is ok. No food residue (sauce, cheese, etc.), remove paper liners. Carryout/delivery cardboard pizza boxes only, no frozen pizza boxes allowed.
  • If they are extremely food soiled, they can go in your yard debris cart along with your food scraps.  

❌ Removed from the accepted list: 

• Shredded Paper - previously allowed if bagged, no longer allowed. It will be accepted at recycling drop-off centers by the end of 2027.

✅ Accepted These paper items are allowed in curbside recycling! 

• Cardboard boxes - flatten all cardboard boxes. Pieces must be cut to no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet.
• Chipboard boxes - includes cereal, cracker, tissue, and other thin cardboard. Remove plastic liners before placing in recycling cart. 
• Newspaper, magazines, phonebooks - place loose in your recycling cart.
• Paper and junk mail - place loose in your recycling cart. Window envelopes are ok. 
• Paper bags and paper packaging - clean paper grocery bags, paper shopping bags, and packing paper. 
• Milk cartons - quickly rinse them out before placing in your recycling cart.
• Carboard tubes - only paper tubes you can rip apart are allowed such as toilet and paper towel tubes.
• Wrapping and tissue paper - paper and tissue paper used for gift wrapping. No glitter or foil paper allowed. 

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

• Frozen food boxes and pet food bags- these are made with mixed materials and include plastic or wax coatings. 
• Paper plates, cups, and bowls - these typically include a plastic or wax coating on them to keep the liquids from soaking through. 
• Paper towels, napkins, and tissues -  food soiled paper towels and napkins are allowed in your curbside yard debris/food waste cart. 
• Photographs - photos are printed with a thin plastic coating on them, making them a mixed material that is not allowed.
• Padded mailing envelopes - mailing envelopes that have a plastic bubble wrap inside are not allowed. 
• Hardbound books - if you would like to recycle a hardbound book, please remove the hard cover and put the cover and papers in your curbside recycling cart as separate pieces. 
• Greeting cards - cards that have glitter, foil, batteries (please remove batteries before placing in your garbage cart).