Oregon DEQ Sets Meeting to Discuss Ways to Boost Container Recycling Rates

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality have scheduled an informational meeting Oct.4 to discuss the declining recycling rate for rigid plastic containers, and the impact that it is having on the state’s requirements for manufacturers of these containers. State law mandates all rigid plastic containers used to package items sold in the state must meet one of the three following requirements or qualify for an exemption: containers must be made of plastic that is recycled in the state at a rate of at least 25 percent; containers must be made using at least 25 percent post-consumer recycled content; or containers must be made to be reused at least five times.

DEQ staff will give a presentation including information on the background and current status of Oregon's rigid plastic container law, how DEQ measures recycling rates, and why the plastic container-recycling rate is falling. DEQ staff will be available to respond to questions or discussion after the presentation.

The meeting will be held at the Oregon DEQ office in Portland.

Certain types of containers, including non-beverage food containers and containers for drugs, medical devices, or infant formula are exempt from these requirements.

Since the law was first implemented more than ten years ago the aggregate recycling rate determined by DEQ has exceeded 25 percent.

However, more recent figures show that the aggregate recycling rate has fallen, pointing to the likelihood that DEQ will determine that the aggregate recycling rate for 2007 will be below 25 percent.

For more information or to reserve a phone line, contact Peter Spendelow at 503-229-5253 or Spendelow.Peter@DEQ.State.or.us, or Mary Lou Perry at 503-229-5731 or Perry.MaryLou@DEQ.State.or.us <mailto:Perry.MaryLou@DEQ.State.or.us>.