Representatives from Recology and local eco-minded groups new regulations for how we recycle, along with ways to reuse and maybe refuse
By Meg Wade for Ashland.news
The usual sound of clanking glass at the Ashland Recycling Center at 220 Water St. received new accompaniment Saturday, as musicians from an old-time jam gathering played tunes, visitors snacked on complimentary watermelon and popcorn, and representatives of local waste-reduction organizations chatted with members of the public. The festivities were all part of an open house to educate residents about new changes to Oregon’s recycling program.
The changes are a result of the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, which passed through the state Legislature in 2021 and brought new rules that took effect July 1.
Those changes mean a broader variety of items are now accepted both at the Recycling Center and in recycling bins for those using Recology’s curbside service. New items include molded fiber (including egg cartons and paper berry baskets), aseptic or Tetra Pak containers (such as those used for milk, broth and juice), and select nursery plant containers. There is new signage at the Recycling Center to help orient users to the changes.
New statewide standards
The Recycling Modernization Act, or RMA, also sets a Uniform Statewide Collection List, so that the same items can be recycled across the statewide, no matter the county or municipality. The statewide list is available for download here.
On Saturday, longtime recyclers were full of questions for Eric Ahnmark, Recology’s community affairs manager.
The most frequent question: What about lids? Should plastic lids on bottles and containers be thrown out or can they be left on?
Although in the past people were encouraged to remove lids, that’s no longer required.
“I’ve been told for years that I have to take them off,” one man said, as Ahnmark assured him that it was no longer necessary.
“Wow! That’s major. At least in my household,” the man responded.
But much of Recology’s former guidance still applies. Don’t throw all those lids in separately, for example — anything smaller than 2 by 2 inches still isn’t reclaimable. And although more types of fiber can be recycled, there are still best practices for making sure it truly does get recycled: Don’t shred it, for instance. Shredded paper easily blows away or falls through the machinery.
Sorry, no coffee cups
There are still items that Recology can’t accept. Waxed paperboard takeout food containers were also commonly asked about. They still can’t be recycled, and the same applies to disposable coffee cups.
“What about pizza boxes, that have all that oil?” a woman asked.
Ahnmark recommended taking the box apart, composting the sections with oil and recycling the rest.
This attention to detail is why Ashland stands out in the world of recycling, Ahnmark said. And those who bring their material directly to 220 Water St. even more so.
“We have arguably the cleanest commingled recycling in Oregon. People who bring it here [to the Recycling Center] are the best of the best — better than curbside,” he said.
Those who opt to make use of the free drop-off at the Recycling Center also have a broader and growing set of options. Clear plastic film, which cannot be put into curbside bins, can be recycled there. Recology has also applied for a Styrofoam densifier, which could enable the company to them to collect various Styrofoam products in the future.
That wouldn’t include all Styrofoam, however: The RMA bans polystrene foam food containers as well as packing peanuts.
New Goodwill drop-off
Also featured at the open house on Saturday was a new Goodwill Mobile Donation Trailer, accepting donations of clothing and home goods. The trailer began service in the northwest corner of the Recycling Center lot on July 9. It is staffed the same hours as the center, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The current staffing level required Goodwill to create three new jobs, said Johanna Brewer, director of sustainability and operations for Southern Oregon Goodwill.
Those dropping off items can receive a receipt for their donation if needed for tax purposes. The donation trailer is only for goods that can be resold in Goodwill Stores. It does not accept e-waste and other items processed by Goodwill’s larger recycling program. Those can still be taken to either of Goodwill’s primary locations in Ashland or Medford.
The open house was organized in partnership between Southern Oregon Master Recyclers in Action and Recology Ashland.
Group focuses on no waste
The Master Recyclers group, an all-volunteer organization promoting the concept of Zero Waste, also runs its Lend Me a Plate program from a shed at the Recycling Center. Through Lend Me a Plate, any individual or group seeking to avoid using paper and plastic products at their events can borrow nondisposable dishes to use instead. There is no fee, though donations, used to increase and maintain the stock of supplies, are welcome. Borrowers are responsible for bringing back the dishes clean and dry.
How big an event can Lend Me a Plate accommodate? The exact inventory can vary, but on hand in the shed on Saturday were 400 forks, 200 plates, and 100 each various kinds of glasses. Requests to borrow through Lend Me a Plate can be made online.
Other groups at Saturday’s open house included Southern Oregon Food Solutions, which reduces food waste through collaboration on the compost drop-off program at the Tuesday and Thursday Rogue Valley Growers Markets, and Rogue To Go, which helps restaurants and diners avoid single-use containers through its reusable takeout container program.
Energy incentives still available
The Ashland Climate Collaborative was there to promote reducing energy use. Member Candace Tuttle encouraged attendees to make use of incentives for energy upgrades before federal programs are shut down or local programs run out of funds. For those looking to upgrade to heat pumps, Tuttle said, there is currently a $2,000 incentive from the state of Oregon, as well as incentives from the city of Ashland, and, at present, a $2,000 federal tax credit.
Master Recyclers in Action is looking for future ways to collaborate with Recology, both in helping local organizations put on zero-waste events and in offering additional services at the Recycling Center.
“This is our community recycling center,” said Bob Altaras, one of the group’s founding members. “It’s something to be proud of. It’s probably one of the nicest centers you’re going to see.”
“We’re trying to make more use of the location since it’s such a beautiful place — more things that we can reuse, not just recycle.”
Altaras emphasized that recycling is one of the last options for those looking to practice zero waste, referencing the “7 R’s,”,an updated version of the more popular version of the “3 R’s” — reduce, reuse, and recycle. Sharon Anderson, also with SOMRA, agreed. “Refuse — that’s where we start,” she said.
More information about the RMA and recycling in Oregon can be found on the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s website at oregon.gov/deq/recycling.
A video series explaining the RMA is available in both English and Spanish on YouTube.
Ashland resident and freelance journalist Meg Wade’s byline has appeared in Mother Earth News and other publications. Email Ashland.news at [email protected].
