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Recycling Modernization Act Information for Local Governments

Stay informed about implementation of Oregon's new recycling law by signing up for the monthly Recycling Modernization Act newsletter.

Oregon's new recycling law

Oregon's recycling system will soon be changing due to a new law called the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, or RMA. The RMA requires producers of packaging, printing and writing paper, and food serviceware to share the responsibility for building and maintaining a more resilient and responsible recycling system. Producers must join and pay fees to a nonprofit Producer Responsibility Organization, or PRO. Recycling system changes will begin in July 2025.

New funding for new recycling requirements

Local governments and service providers will continue to regulate and provide recycling services and meet some new requirements. The law makes local governments eligible for different types of PRO funding, including compensation for:
  • Transporting recycling long distances,
  • Expanding recycling service, and
  • Implementing contamination reduction programming.

What to expect

In the coming year, local governments will have the opportunity to:
  • Discuss recycling service expansion requests, funding, and existing recycling depots with the prospective PRO, Circular Action Alliance, in the spring and summer of 2024.
  • Provide feedback on new recycling educational materials and contamination reduction programming elements in the summer and fall of 2024.
  • Designate and authorize service providers to receive PRO funding on their behalf at the beginning of 2025.

Get your questions answered by emailing RethinkRecycling@deq.oregon.gov

All Oregon cities and counties will be eligible to receive funding from producer responsibility organizations under ORS 459A.890. Funding from the PRO will begin in July 2025. 

Local governments will receive funding from PROs to implement the new requirements of the Act. Additional funding will also be available to support optional programs that cities and counties may choose to offer. 

PRO funding will be available to support local governments and their designated service providers for the following purposes: 

  • Transporting recyclables more than 50 miles to a recycling processing facility or end market; 
  • Expanding recycling services (as identified in a statewide needs assessment); 
  • Implementing contamination reduction programs; 
  • Evaluating contamination in collected recyclables that don't go directly to a commingled recycling processing facility; and 
  • Complying with the requirement to purchase collection containers made with recycled plastic.​


All Oregon cities and counties, regardless of size, are eligible to receive funding from producer responsibility organizations for new expansion of on-route collection for residents and businesses, depot collection or both for covered recycling products under ORS 459A.890(5)

The first step of this process is for local governments to complete the first needs assessment survey, which asks local governments to indicate their interest in expanding recycling collection opportunities in their communities. DEQ is conducting this needs assessment survey January through April 2023 and then periodically thereafter. This first needs assessment survey will gauge interest from all local governments statewide to expand recycling collection services for the first program plan period which is from July 2025 through 2027.

Eligible expenses include startup and expansion costs associated with on-route collection of covered recyclable products and both startup and ongoing operating costs of new or expanded depots for covered recyclable products. If necessary and none other is available, establishment of a recycling reload facility with the necessary compaction equipment qualifies as an eligible expense. The list of recycling materials that can be collected commingled on-route and at depots will be identified via the rulemaking process.

DEQ will provide the results of the needs assessment to the PROs. The PROs are required to describe how they will provide funding to local governments in the program plan, and will use the needs assessment to inform this requirement. They must submit their plan to DEQ for review and approval by March. 31, 2024. Once a program plan is approved, PROs will begin working with local governments and their service providers to determine implementation. Recycling service expansion will occur after July. 1, 2025.​

View the 2023 Local Government Needs Assessment
Provided by Eunomia Research & Consulting

Please contact RethinkRecycling@deq.oregon.gov or call your DEQ Regional Specialist with any questions you may have.

​Baker, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Malheur, Milton-Freewater, Morrow, Umatilla, Union and Wallowa counties: 
  • Laurie Gordon  
    475 NE Bellevue, Suite 110
    Bend, OR 97701
    Office: 541-633-2029, Cell: 541-408-7842​

Crook, Deschutes, Hood River, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Sherman, Wasco, and Wheeler.

  • Colin Teem
    475 NE Bellevue, Suite 110
    Bend OR 97701
    Cell: 971-300-3318
​Opportunity to Recycle - Clatsop 
Other Issues - Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington:
  • Lexi Meek  
    700 NE Multnomah St., Suite 600
    Portland, OR 97201-4987
    Office: 503-229-5790, Cell: 503-319-5681

Opportunity to Recycle - Columbia, Tillamook
Other Issues - Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington:​
  • Gretchen Sandau  
    700 NE Multnomah St., Suite 600
    Portland, OR 97201-4987
    Cell: 503-915-6786


​Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine and Lane counties:
  • Cathy Brown 
    165 East Seventh St., Suite 100
    Eugene, OR 97401
    Office: 541-687-7325, Cell:  503-753-6153
Benton, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties:
  • Cat Rhoades  
    4026 Fairview Industrial Drive SE
    Salem, OR 97302
    Office: 503-378-5089, Cell: 503-446-7410