As a part of the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, the Department of Environmental Quality will conduct a statewide needs assessment for multifamily housing communities as outlined in ORS 495A.935. Under this needs assessment, the report will include:

• The challenges facing residents of multifamily housing.
• Recommendations for improvements to allow for effective and equitable recycling opportunities.
• An evaluation of the placement and quality of spaces provided for recycling containers.
• Recommendations for improving recycling spaces that are determined to be inadequate.
• Potential recommendations for new responsibilities of producer responsibility organizations and  funding for such responsibilities.
• If the needs assessment does not include recommendations for adding new responsibilities for producer responsibility organizations, DEQ will explain why such responsibilities are not needed.

Next steps

In early 2024, DEQ will engage interested parties, gather information, and conduct research to assess recycling needs for multifamily housing communities.

DEQ will submit a report to the legislature by Sept. 15, 2024.  The multifamily housing needs assessment will be conducted on a four-year basis, as required by statute. 

Contact

For more information contact Gretchen Sandau.