SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): Oregon has launched its first RecycleOn Center, marking the beginning of the state’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) program for packaging. The new drop-off depots are designed to collect hard-to-recycle items that are not accepted in standard curbside recycling, including plastic bags, lids, buckets, shredded paper, and foil.
The Circular Action Alliance (CAA), in partnership with Recology, opened the first center in Ashland, Oregon. The state plans to expand the network to nearly 140 drop-off sites by the end of 2027. CAA also aims to extend curbside recycling access to more than 150,000 homes and businesses statewide.
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The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will coordinate public outreach campaigns to educate communities about the new centers. These initiatives will focus on reducing contamination and encouraging residents to actively participate in both curbside recycling and RecycleOn drop-offs.
CAA emphasizes that the new depots will be strategically located to ensure equitable access for residents across the state, supporting Oregon’s goal of increasing recycling and reducing waste under the EPR program.