Recycling Refresher

As we discussed in Parts 1 and 2, 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 metal items 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? Changes to the maximum size of metal accepted.

• Size of metal accepted - less than 10lbs and 18 inches (previously: less than 45lbs and 36 inches)

✅ Accepted These metal items are allowed in curbside recycling! 

• Tin cans - includes food cans such as soup, tuna, or vegetable cans. Give them a quick rinse before placing in your curbside recycling cart. You do not need to remove the label.
• Aluminum cans - includes soda, sparkling water, and other beverage cans. You can also return these to places such as a BottleDrop location to receive your $.10 deposit back. 
• Metal pots and pans - small pots and pans are acceptable if they meet the size requirements. No glass or ceramic pots allowed. Tip: if they are still in usable condition try taking them to a reuse or donation center instead. 
• Miscellaneous metal - small metal items are accepted as long as they weigh less than 10lbs and are smaller than 18". Tip: if you have smaller items like nails or screws, place them in a tin can and crimp the top closed to keep them contained during the sorting process. 
• Metal paint cans - paint cans with less than 1" of dried paint are allowed. If the paint can contains more than 1" of dried paint, it belongs in the garbage. No wet paint can be disposed of or recycled curbside. To recycle wet paint go to www.paintcare.org to find the nearest location. 

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

• Small Appliances - Toasters, microwaves, coffee makers, and other small household appliances are not allowed. Most of these contain mixed materials making them unable to be recycled curbside. Microwaves are allowed at our recycling depot for no charge. 
• Large metal - Items larger than 10lbs and 18 inches are not allowed. Metal bed frames, fencing, metal shelving, and BBQ's  are not allowed. Most larger metal items are accepted at our recycling depot for no charge. Click on our recycling depot tab below to find a full list of metal items accepted at our recycling depot.
• Tools and car parts - these items are often larger than the allowed size, but we do accept these at our recycling depot for no charge.

❌ Hazardous Waste - keep these items our of your curbside recycling!

• Chemical Containers - pesticides, fertilizers, solvents, or other hazardous chemicals are not allowed. You can find information on how to properly dispose of household hazardous waste here. 
• Propane tanks - these are not allowed in your curbside recycling (that includes the small camping style canisters). We accept both the smaller and larger style propane tanks at our recycling depot. They must be empty.