Maya Ellison
Plastic recycling is a complex process, and it's essential to understand what can and cannot be recycled in your community. In Oregon, the recycling guidelines vary across regions, and it's crucial to follow the specific instructions provided by local authorities. While some materials may be recyclable curbside, others need to be taken to special recycling depots. Understanding the recycling rules for plastic #5 in Oregon requires examining the guidelines and practices in the state, particularly in the Portland Metropolitan Region, where specific restrictions are in place.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic items accepted for recycling | Plastic bottles, tubs (6oz or larger), buckets, jugs, jars with a neck (6 ounces or larger), containers with a threaded neck (for a screw-on lid) or neck narrower than the base, round containers that can hold 6 ounces or more with a wider rim than the base, planting/nursery pots larger than 4 inches in diameter made of rigid plastic, buckets 5 gallons or smaller |
| Plastic items not accepted for recycling | Plastic wrap (stretch or shrink wrap, bubble wrap, bags), containers smaller than 6 ounces, plastic lids, styrofoam, clamshell containers, plastic-padded mailers, coffee cups, take-out food containers, paper plates, pizza boxes, frozen food boxes, ice cream containers, wax-coated cardboard or paper coated with food/wax/foil/plastic, paper towels, napkins, facial tissue |
| Other notes | Recycling is based on the size and shape of the item rather than the numbers or symbols on the plastic. Plastic items accepted for recycling in the region do not end up in a landfill or get incinerated. |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic bottles, tubs, buckets, and jugs are accepted for recycling in Oregon
- Plastic lids, styrofoam, and clamshells are not accepted for recycling
- Plastic items should be rinsed and dried before being placed in the recycling bin
- Plastic bags can be recycled at some grocery stores, such as Fred Meyer and Safeway
- Plastic film can be recycled by companies like Ridwell
Plastic bottles, tubs, buckets, and jugs are accepted for recycling in Oregon
In general, plastic bottles, tubs, buckets, and jugs that are 6 ounces or larger and have a cylindrical base are accepted for recycling in Oregon. This includes containers with threaded necks, such as milk jugs and bottles that previously held personal care and cleaning products. Round plastic containers with a wider rim than the base, like salsa or margarine containers, are also acceptable as long as they hold 6 ounces or more and are not drink cups.
It is important to note that plastic lids, styrofoam, clamshell containers, and plastic bags are not typically accepted for recycling in Oregon and should be avoided as they can contaminate the recycling stream. These items can jam sorting equipment or end up in the wrong material stream. Additionally, plastic items with a "compostable" or "biodegradable" label should never be placed in recycling containers as they will contaminate the recycling process and reduce the quality of goods produced from recycled materials.
To ensure successful recycling, it is recommended to rinse containers so they are free of food residue and dry before placing them in the recycling bin. It is also important to check with local guidelines, as some areas may have specific drop-off locations or restrictions for certain plastic items. For instance, in Portland, motor oil can be placed in a clear plastic jug for recycling, while batteries must be taken to designated drop-off sites.
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Plastic lids, styrofoam, and clamshells are not accepted for recycling
In Oregon, plastic items that can be recycled include bottles, tubs, buckets, and jugs. These are the right shapes to be successfully sorted, and they are the types of plastic that recycling companies want to buy. However, plastic lids, styrofoam, and clamshells are not accepted for recycling in Oregon.
Plastic lids are often too small to be sorted from other materials like paper and cardboard. They can jam sorting equipment or end up in the wrong material stream. Plastic clamshells, on the other hand, are made using a process called thermoforming, which results in a different grade of plastic than what is used for bottles and jugs. While clamshells are made of recyclable PET plastic, they pose various challenges for recycling facilities. For example, clamshells flatten easily when crushed, and machines cannot correctly sort them out. Additionally, clamshells often contain labels or stickers that can contaminate other materials, and they melt at a different temperature than other plastics, creating ash that can ruin an entire batch of good plastic.
Recycling facilities lose money when dealing with clamshells mixed in with higher-quality plastics. As a result, many facilities won't accept clamshells for recycling, even though the material itself is recyclable. If your local recycling program doesn't accept clamshells, keep them out of your recycling bin, but don't throw them away. Instead, look for alternative recycling solutions, such as by using the Earth911 Recycling Search tool to find a local recycler that accepts clamshells.
To reduce plastic waste, it is important to avoid purchasing products packaged in plastic clamshells or lids whenever possible. You can also contact the manufacturer and express your concerns, letting them know that you will purchase their product again when they switch to more sustainable packaging.
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Plastic items should be rinsed and dried before being placed in the recycling bin
In Oregon, the only plastics that should be placed in your recycling container are bottles, tubs (6oz or larger), buckets, and jugs. These items should be rinsed and dried before being placed in the recycling bin. While it is not necessary for them to be spotless, it is important to ensure they are free of most food waste. This is because contaminants can ruin the recycling process. A quick rinse is usually enough to ensure your plastic items are ready for recycling.
Recycling companies want to buy these types of plastic because they are the right shape to be successfully sorted. Other plastic items, such as blister packaging, plastic wrap, and bags, cannot be recycled at home but can sometimes be dropped off at recycling businesses. Numbers on plastics are not indicators of whether or not an item can be recycled. Instead, it is about size and shape.
It is important to rinse your plastic items before recycling them to deter rats and insects from getting into the recyclables before pick-up. However, it is also important to be mindful of water usage when rinsing recyclables. While it is better to rinse, reckless rinsing may negate the water savings of recycling plastics. It is greener to consume or trash food and drink in containers before recycling them.
To rinse your plastic items, start by scraping out most of the remaining food with a spatula. Then, fill the container with water and vigorously swish the water around inside. You can also use leftover dishwater to rinse your recyclables. This will be enough to keep your recycling bin from getting too smelly.
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Plastic bags can be recycled at some grocery stores, such as Fred Meyer and Safeway
In Oregon, some plastics are not accepted in curbside recycling but may be recycled at specific depots. Plastic bags, in particular, can be challenging to sort from other materials and may jam sorting equipment. However, some grocery stores in Oregon, such as Fred Meyer and Safeway, offer plastic bag recycling.
Fred Meyer, for instance, has partnered with TerraCycle to offer a free mail-in recycling program for its store brands' plastic packaging. This includes chip bags, shredded cheese bags, frozen food bags, pouches, deli meat and cheese bags, grain and meat bags, and plastic pet food packaging. Additionally, Fred Meyer stores provide special "Zero Hunger | Zero Waste" bins at their entrances, accepting plastic bags, bubble wrap, plastic overwrap, bread bags, dry cleaning bags, produce bags, newspaper sleeves, plastic shipping envelopes, clean sandwich bags, and plastic grocery bags. The collected single-use plastic packaging is combined with other in-store plastic packaging and recycled into composite decking.
Safeway, another Oregon-based grocery store, also provides a "'plastic bag' recycling receptacle at the entrance to its stores, accepting a wide range of plastic film products. While specific details of their program are not readily available, it is worth checking with your local Safeway store to understand better what they accept and how they manage the recycling process.
It is important to note that when recycling plastic bags and other plastic materials, it is crucial to ensure they are empty, clean, and dry. Additionally, some plastic materials that cannot be recycled at home may be accepted at recycling businesses in greater Portland, so it is worth checking with your local recycling centers for specific guidelines and accepted materials.
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Plastic film can be recycled by companies like Ridwell
Recycling plastic in Oregon can be confusing, especially when it comes to plastic films. While some plastics are accepted in curbside recycling, others must be dropped off at recycling depots or businesses. Plastic bags, for example, cannot be recycled at the curb because they can get caught in the machinery at recycling facilities. However, they can be recycled if taken back to stores or dropped off at recycling centers.
The numbers on plastic items, often found within a triangle of chasing arrows, are not indicators of whether the item can be recycled. Instead, these numbers are used by manufacturers to indicate what type of plastic the product is made of. So, when it comes to recycling, it's important to ignore the numbers and focus on the shape of the item. Bottles, tubs, buckets, and jugs are generally accepted in recycling bins because they have the right shape to be successfully sorted, and recycling companies want to purchase these types of plastic.
Some plastic materials that cannot be recycled at home can be recycled by specific businesses or through certain programs. This includes plastic films, which can be recycled by companies like Ridwell. Ridwell is a company that offers collection services to help recycle and donate items that people no longer need. They provide bags for storing items like plastic film, batteries, light bulbs, and threads, and then pick up these items from your front door every two weeks. This service not only helps keep waste out of landfills but also supports local causes and builds a more sustainable future.
To determine if a plastic film can be recycled, look for the How2Recycle label on the item for detailed disposal instructions. Additionally, plastic films that can stretch and have an equilateral triangle with resin codes 2 or 4 on them are typically recyclable. Store Drop-off recycling programs also collect plastic bags and other flexible plastic packaging, allowing consumers to bring these items to stores for recycling. However, it's important to verify which types of flexible plastic packaging are accepted.
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Frequently asked questions
In Oregon, the following plastics can be recycled: bottles, tubs (6oz or larger), buckets, and jugs.
The numbers on plastics are not indicators of whether or not they can be recycled. Instead, recycling in Oregon is based on the size and
Some plastic materials that cannot be recycled at home can be dropped off for recycling at some recycling businesses in greater Portland.
The plastic that is accepted for recycling in Oregon does not end up in a landfill or get incinerated. It stays within the Portland Metro Region and gets recycled.
Other materials that can be recycled in Oregon include paper, metal, and glass.
