Portland's Plastic Recycling Efforts: How Effective Are They?

Portland, Oregon, is known for its recycling habits, with more than 90% of households participating in curbside recycling. The city has strict rules about what can and cannot be recycled, with plastic bags, plastic film, plastic lids, and plastic takeout containers all banned from recycling bins. Plastic bottles and jars with necks larger than 6 oz can be recycled, as can plant pots with a diameter of 4 inches or more made of rigid plastic. The state of Oregon was the first to introduce a law regarding the recycling of plastic bottles, and in 2003, 27% of all rigid plastic containers were recycled, a figure that has increased over the years. However, recent reports suggest that Oregonians are recycling less and generating more waste, with plastic being a particular challenge for the system.

Plastic bags can be recycled but not at the curb

Plastic bags are a significant contributor to pollution, with an estimated one to five trillion plastic bags being used globally each year. The average American family consumes around 1500 plastic bags annually. While plastic bags can be recycled, they cannot be placed in the curb-side recycling bin. This is because they are a serious problem for recycling facilities, often getting caught in the machinery and causing costly shutdowns of sorting lines.

In Portland, Oregon, plastic recycling is based on the size and shape of the item. Plastic bottles and jars with a neck of 6 ounces or larger, as well as round plastic containers of 6 ounces or more with a wider rim than the base, are accepted. However, plastic bags are specifically listed as not being allowed in the recycling bin.

So, what can you do with your plastic bags? In Portland, you can take them back to stores or drop them off at recycling centers, where they are collected separately from other plastics. Many retailers, including Kroger, Safeway, Target, and Walmart, offer bag recycling collections in their stores, usually located near the front entrance. Additionally, some recycling businesses in greater Portland accept plastic materials that cannot be recycled at home.

It is important to note that plastic bags should be kept loose and not bagged when being recycled. Any receipts, stickers, or crumbs inside the bags should be removed, as these items will contaminate the bag load. It is also recommended to only recycle bags with a #2 or #4 plastic symbol, indicating they are made from high-density or low-density polyethylene, respectively.

Plastic bottles and jars with necks of 6 oz or larger

Deposit plastic bottles can be recycled in your bin, or you can take them to a BottleDrop Center or participating grocery store to collect deposit funds. BottleDrop is a service that allows you to return bottles and cans for beer, soft drinks, water, tea, coffee, fruit juice, coconut water, hard cider, and kombucha. You can register online or sign up at a BottleDrop Center and get an account card, pre-approved stickers, and green bags. After filling your bags with returnable bottles and cans and applying your BottleDrop sticker, you can head to a BottleDrop Redemption Center and choose between using your BottleDrop account, self-serve, or hand count. You will be credited every time you use the system, and you can redeem your balance for cash or store credit at participating redemption centers and retail grocery stores.

It is important to note that only plastic bottles, tubs (6 oz or larger), buckets, and jugs should be placed in your recycling container. Plastic bags, plastic film (such as pallet wrap, bubble wrap, and stretch wrap), plastic caps and lids, plastic six-pack can holders, plastic takeout food containers, disposable plates, cups, and cutlery, prescription medicine bottles, and other plastic containers under 6 oz are not accepted in Portland's recycling program. Additionally, bottles that have come into contact with hazardous materials such as motor oil, pesticides, herbicides, or other hazardous materials are prohibited.

If you are unsure about whether a plastic item can be recycled, it is recommended to check with your local recycling guidelines or contact your local waste management department. Some plastic materials that cannot be recycled at home may be accepted at specific recycling businesses in greater Portland.

Rigid plastic plant pots with a 4-inch diameter or larger

In Portland, rigid plastic plant pots with a 4-inch diameter or larger can be recycled. However, thin, crinkly plastic pots are not accepted. Before placing these items in your recycling bin, ensure they are empty, free of loose dirt, and dry. Rinsing the pots is recommended, although they do not need to be perfectly clean.

In general, plastic recycling in Portland is based on the size and shape of the item. Plastic bottles and jars with a threaded neck and a capacity of 6 ounces or more can be recycled. This includes containers with a neck narrower than the base, such as milk jugs, peanut butter jars, and bottles that held personal care and cleaning products. Round plastic containers that can hold 6 ounces or more and have a wider rim than the base, typically used for products like salsa, margarine, cottage cheese, or hummus, are also accepted.

It is important to note that certain plastic items are not allowed in Portland's recycling bins. These include plastic bags, plastic film of any type (pallet wrap, bubble wrap, stretch wrap), plastic caps and lids, plastic six-pack can holders (including rigid plastic ones), and plastic takeout food containers, disposable plates, cups, and cutlery.

For plastics that cannot be recycled at home, some recycling businesses in the greater Portland area accept drop-offs for recycling. Additionally, companies like Ridwell offer plastic recycling programs for hard-to-recycle items, although membership is required.

Plastic clamshells can be recycled through Ridwell

Plastic recycling in Portland is based on the size and shape of the item. Plastic bottles and jars with a neck of 6 ounces or larger, as well as round plastic containers with a wider rim than the base, are accepted in the recycling bin. However, plastic bags, plastic film, plastic lids, and plastic takeout containers are not allowed in Portland's recycling bins.

Plastic clamshells, which are used for food products like spinach, strawberries, cherry tomatoes, and salads, are particularly challenging to recycle. They are made of a material that is, in theory, easy to recycle, but they are difficult to recycle in practice. They are also tricky to sort once they're in the recycling facility due to their lightweight nature.

This is where Ridwell comes in. Ridwell is a Portland-based company that launched its own plastic clamshell recycling program in 2021. Ridwell works directly with PET recyclers who specialize in clamshell containers. By collecting directly from their members, they can avoid contamination in mixed recycling bins and ensure that clamshells are recycled into new plastics.

To recycle plastic clamshells through Ridwell, you need to become a member. Memberships start at $12 a month, and you will receive a bin and separate recycling bags for each item. Ridwell accepts clear #1 PET plastic clamshells, and they do not need to be perfectly clean, but they should be free of food residue. Labels and stickers do not need to be removed. Keep in mind that clamshells and plastic film should be collected separately as they go to different partners, and mixing them can lead to contamination.

Plastic bottles can be recycled in a bin or at a BottleDrop Center

Plastic bottles can be recycled in a blue bin or at a BottleDrop Center in Portland. To recycle plastic bottles in your bin, they should be empty, rinsed, and dry before being placed loosely in the bin. Plastic bottles that are 6 ounces or larger, with a threaded neck for a screw-on lid or a neck narrower than the base, can be recycled. This includes bottles that previously held cleaning products, motor oil, pesticides, or herbicides, but not bottles that have come into contact with hazardous materials. Plant pots made of rigid plastic that are 4 inches in diameter or larger are also accepted for recycling. Any plastic that is not shaped like a bottle, round tub, bucket, or jug is not allowed in Portland's recycling bins. This includes plastic bags, plastic film, plastic lids, plastic take-out food containers, disposable plates, cups, and cutlery, and plastic 6-pack can holders.

If you want to collect deposit funds for your plastic bottles, you can take them to a BottleDrop Center or a participating grocery store. Additionally, plastic bags can be returned to stores or dropped off at recycling centers, and plastic clamshells can be recycled through Ridwell's program for a small fee. Portland is known for its recycling habits, with more than 90% of households participating in curbside recycling. However, recent reports indicate a downward trend in recycling, with Oregonians recycling less and generating more waste. To address this, it is recommended to expand curbside recycling efforts, reduce the use of single-use plastics, and ban food waste from landfills to encourage composting.

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