Each year, the Department of Environmental Quality compiles data on post-consumer recycling. A survey is sent to all collection service providers and private recycling companies who handle such material. They provide detailed information on materials collected and marketed for recycling, composting or energy recovery. This survey data is combined with data gathered from disposal sites from quarterly or annual reporting forms. Together, recovery and disposal numbers make up the amount of waste generated by Oregonians each year.
Recovery information allows DEQ to determine energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions, two important environmental benefits. DEQ also calculates a recovery rate: The percentage of the total waste generated that is recovered in recycling, composting or energy recovery. Recovery, disposal and generation data, as well as recovery rates, are calculated both on a statewide basis and for each of the 35 individual wastesheds.
Documents
Forms
Individual (Private) Recyclers, Scrap Metal Dealers, and Electronics Recyclers are required to complete and submit the material recovery forms to DEQ by Feb. 28 of each year.
Recycling Collector (Hauler) survey forms are required to be completed and submitted to their Wasteshed Representative by Jan. 31 of each year; the wasteshed representative is required to submit the completed forms to DEQ by Feb. 28 of each year. Please contact Oregon DEQ's Materials Management staff, 503-229-6724, if you have not filled out these forms before or do not already have a CID number.
Forms available for completing the surveys:
Reports
The reports describe the methodology and results of Oregon's Material Recovery and Waste Generation Surveys. The full reports and tables for the past two years are available online. For previous reports and tables please contact the nearest DEQ Solid Waste staff.