Oregon Sees Drop in Plastic Container Recycling Levels

The state of Oregon reported that the recycling rate for rigid plastic containers in the state declined in 2005 to 24.3 percent. Further, according to a report by the state’s Department of Environmental Quality expects the recycling rate to remain below 25 percent this year.

The decline is the first time the state has reported a recycling rate of less than 25 percent since the state began calculating the rigid plastic container recycling rate in 1993.

Due to the decline, recycling related requirements on some companies packaging products in bottles and containers could come into play unless the state is able to increase the plastic recycling rate to more than 25 percent by next year. The changes could include some packaging firms taking steps such as using recycled plastics in their containers or changing to use plastic having a higher recycling rate.

According to a state law, any rigid plastic container sold in Oregon must meet at least one of the following three criteria:

۰Contain at least 25 percent recycled content

۰Be made of plastic that is recycled in Oregon at a rate of at least 25 percent

۰Be reusable (refillable for at least five times)

According to Peter Spendelow, DEQ’s solid waste specialist, the decline can be attributed to two main factors:

Tthe sale of water and juice in plastic bottles, which have a lower recycling rate is increasing, while soft drink sales, with a higher recycling rate, are declining

Increasing amounts of plastic are being used to make tubs, trays and other types of non-bottle containers. Most curbside recycling collection programs collect only plastic bottles, so the tubs, trays and clamshells often are not recycled.

To increase the plastics recycling levels, Spendelow sees four possibilities

۰Many local governments and recycling collectors are considering adding tubs and other plastic containers to their curbside programs, and also providing customers with large roll-carts for storing and recycling all of their materials.

۰Recycled plastic prices are high due to the high cost of petroleum, leading businesses to increasingly separate out large plastic items including pails and crates for recycling.

۰There is industry interest in improving the effectiveness of the facilities that sort commingled recyclables, resulting in less plastic being mis-sorted and disposed.

۰Legislative proposals to add water and other beverages to the Oregon Bottle Bill could push Oregon's plastic recycling rate up to close to 30 percent, according to DEQ's projections.

DEQ’s Rigid Plastic Container Recycling Rate Report is available by clicking the following link -- Rigid Plastic Container Recycling