Alexei Volkov
Recycling plastic in Portland, Oregon, can be a confusing process due to the various types of plastics and their different recyclability. However, understanding the local guidelines and restrictions can help streamline the process and ensure that plastic waste is disposed of correctly. Portland residents can recycle plastic bottles, tubs, buckets, and jugs that are 6 ounces or larger, with a focus on the size and shape of the item rather than the numbers or symbols on the plastic. Additionally, plastic bags and certain hard-to-recycle items can be dropped off at specific locations, while motor oil and batteries require separate disposal methods to prevent safety hazards.
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bottles, tubs, buckets, and jugs are allowed
It is important to ensure that all containers are empty and dry before placing them in your recycling bin. They do not need to be perfectly clean, but they should be free of food residue. Rinsing containers is a good idea. Additionally, lids are not recyclable as they are too small and flat, often ending up at paper mills where they can contaminate the paper.
When it comes to plastic bags, they are recyclable but not through curbside collection. Plastic bags can cause issues for recycling facilities, getting caught in machinery and leading to costly shutdowns. Instead, take plastic bags back to stores or drop them off at recycling centers, where they are collected separately from other plastics.
Another important point to remember is that recycling programs only accept certain types of plastic. "Compostable" or "biodegradable" plastics, for example, should never be placed in any recycling container. These types of plastic are designed to break down quickly and will contaminate the recycling process, reducing the quality of the recycled materials.
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Plastic bags are recyclable but not at the curb
Instead of putting them in your recycling bin, take plastic bags back to stores or drop them off at recycling centers where they are collected separately from other plastics.
In Portland, Oregon, you can recycle plastic bottles, jars, round containers, buckets, and nursery pots at home. The only plastics you should put in your recycling container are bottles, tubs (6oz or larger), buckets, and jugs. Ignore the numbers on the bottom of plastics as they are not indicators of whether or not a plastic item is recyclable in Portland. It's about size and shape.
When sorting your plastics, ignore the recycle symbol and number. Plastics recycling in Portland is based on the size and shape of the item. Rinse containers before putting them in the bin, but they do not need to be perfectly clean. Just make sure they are free of food residue and dry.
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Plastic items labelled compostable or biodegradable should not be recycled
In Portland, Oregon, plastic bottles, jars, round containers, buckets, and nursery pots can be recycled at home. Plastic bags, on the other hand, cannot be recycled at the curb. They can be returned to stores or dropped off at recycling centres.
Now, when it comes to plastic items labelled compostable or biodegradable, it's important to understand that these labels don't always mean they can be recycled. Here's why:
The terms "biodegradable" and "compostable" are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. Biodegradable plastic is defined as plastic that can completely break down into substances found in nature within a reasonable timeframe. On the other hand, compostable plastic is specifically designed and tested to be processed in either home or industrial composting facilities. These facilities have specific conditions, like temperature and moisture, that help turn plastic into usable soil conditioners.
However, the problem with these labels is that they can be misleading and confusing. There is currently no certification program in the US for "biodegradable" products, and these labels often don't specify the environment or timeframe for biodegradation. According to the Federal Trade Commission's Green Guides, it is deceptive to claim biodegradability if the product doesn't completely decompose within a year after customary disposal.
Additionally, compostable and biodegradable plastics are not always recyclable alongside petroleum-based plastics due to chemical structure incompatibility. The ability of bio-based plastics to be recycled varies, and it's crucial to read the product label to determine its compostability and recyclability. Some bio-based plastics may have compatible chemical structures, allowing them to be recycled with petroleum-based plastics. Still, this information must be specified on the label.
Therefore, it's essential to check your local recycling guidelines and only recycle items that your program accepts. Plastic items labelled compostable or biodegradable should be treated with caution, and it's best to follow the specific disposal instructions provided by the manufacturer or your local waste management guidelines.
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Plastic containers should be rinsed and dried before recycling
In Portland, Oregon, plastic containers, bottles, jars, round containers, buckets, and nursery pots can be recycled at home. However, it is important to ensure that these containers are properly cleaned, rinsed, and dried before placing them in the recycling bin.
Firstly, it is essential to rinse plastic containers before recycling to remove any food residue or remaining liquids. While it is not necessary to scrub or thoroughly wash the containers, a quick rinse with water will suffice to ensure they are free of food waste. This is because any organic matter or grease left on the plastic can contaminate the entire batch of recycled materials. For example, as per Republic Services' website, "one ketchup bottle or not quite empty milk carton can cause your entire bin of otherwise perfectly recyclable items to be contaminated."
Rinsing containers also helps to deter pests such as rats, insects, and ants from getting into the recyclables before pickup. Additionally, rinsing can prevent odours from building up in your recycling bin.
After rinsing, it is crucial to dry the containers before placing them in the recycling bin. This is because wet containers can cause issues during the recycling process, as water can affect the recycling equipment and the quality of the recycled material.
It is worth noting that you should not use soap or "new" water to rinse the containers. Instead, consider using leftover water from other tasks, such as dishwashing, to avoid wasting water and maintain the environmental benefits of recycling.
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Recycling options for batteries and motor oil
Batteries
Batteries and items containing batteries should never be placed in the garbage or mixed recycling due to the risk of sparking and causing fires. For houses, including duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes, batteries can be recycled with your glass recycling. Any battery that fits into a 1-quart, zip-sealed plastic bag, including AAA, AA, C, D, button-cell, coin, 6V, and 9V batteries, can be recycled. Rechargeable and single-use batteries can be recycled, as well as batteries from old cell phones, cameras, and other devices. If the battery is not labeled "Alkaline," tape both ends with clear packing or office tape. Button and coin-shaped batteries should be wrapped entirely in tape, or sandwiched between two layers of tape to prevent contact with each other. Put all batteries in a clear, sealed 1-quart zip-locked bag and place it on top of the glass in your glass recycling bin.
For apartments and businesses, batteries must be taken to drop-off sites for safe disposal. Contact Metro's Recycling Information Center at 503-234-3000 or visit www.oregonmetro.gov/askmetro to find drop-off or pick-up options. You can also ask your property manager about providing battery collection for mail-in recycling.
Additionally, Metro's hazardous waste stations in Northwest Portland and Oregon City accept almost all types of batteries and items with batteries for free. Neighborhood hazardous waste collection events are also held in the spring and fall for free battery disposal. BatteriesPlus stores accept small household batteries for a fee, charged per pound.
Motor Oil
For houses, motor oil can be placed in a clear plastic jug with a capacity of up to 1 gallon and a tightly closed lid. Place it on the curb next to your waste bins.
For apartments and businesses, call 503-234-3000 or look up drop-off or pick-up options. You can also contact your garbage utility, as some will accept up to 1 gallon of motor oil per week if placed next to the garbage cans on collection day.
The Metro South Hazardous Waste Facility in Oregon City accepts up to 35 gallons of hazardous waste, including motor oil, from residential customers for free.
EcoLube Recovery (ELR) is a company that provides used oil recycling services in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington. They have a state-of-the-art re-refining facility in Portland, Oregon, that separates oil from water, flux, and distillate through a vacuum distillation process. The recovered oil undergoes further processing to remove contaminants and oxidized hydrocarbons, resulting in recycled Group II base oil.
Please ensure that all containers for motor oil are leak-proof and properly sealed, and never place motor oil containers in recycling bins.
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Frequently asked questions
The plastics you can recycle in Portland are bottles, tubs (6oz or larger), buckets, and jugs. These are the right shapes to be successfully sorted and are the types of plastic that recycling companies want to buy.
Ignore the numbers on plastic items. These are used by manufacturers to mark what type of plastic it is, not whether it can be recycled.
Containers should be rinsed and free of food residue before being placed in the recycling bin. They do not need to be perfectly clean, but they should be dry.
Plastic bags cannot be recycled at the curb as they can cause problems for recycling facilities. However, you can take them back to stores or drop them off at recycling centers where they are collected separately from other plastics.
Batteries should be taken to drop-off sites for safe disposal. Call 503-234-3000 or look up drop-off options online.
