Ashland, Oregon – A significant shift in how residents handle their household waste is set to begin this week. Effective Tuesday, July 1, new regulations governing curbside recycling collection will officially take effect in Ashland, driven by a statewide initiative aimed at standardizing and improving materials recovery across Oregon.
The changes are being implemented by Recology, the contracted waste and recycling collection service for the city of Ashland. The company announced the updated guidelines on its website, outlining the specific items that will now be accepted in blue recycling carts, aligning with broader state mandates.
Understanding the Oregon Recycling Modernization Act
The catalyst for these changes is the Oregon Recycling Modernization Act. This landmark legislation, which also becomes effective on July 1, represents a comprehensive overhaul of the state’s recycling system. Passed by the Oregon State Legislature, the Act was developed in response to evolving global markets for recycled materials, challenges in maintaining program funding, and a patchwork of local rules that often left residents confused about what could and couldn’t be recycled.
With the goal of creating a more consistent, accessible, and effective recycling program statewide, the Act aims to improve material quality, increase the recovery of valuable resources, and reduce contamination. By placing more responsibility on producers of packaging and paper products for funding and managing the system, the Act seeks to ensure long-term sustainability and efficiency. The formal transition to this new system is set for Tuesday, July 1.
A key outcome of the Act, and central to the changes seen in Ashland, is the establishment of a Unified Statewide Collection List. This list dictates the minimum set of materials that must be accepted in curbside recycling programs across all participating communities in Oregon. By creating this standard list, state officials hope to simplify the process for residents, reduce contamination from unaccepted items – which can render entire batches of otherwise recyclable materials unusable – and enhance the overall efficiency of the recycling supply chain from collection to processing. The Tuesday, July 1, effective date marks the formal implementation of this comprehensive list.
Key Changes for Ashland Residents Under the New List
Under the directives of the Oregon Recycling Modernization Act and the resulting Unified Statewide Collection List, Ashland residents will find that their familiar blue recycling carts can now accommodate a wider variety of materials than before. Recology’s updated rules, effective Tuesday, July 1, explicitly add several items to the list of accepted recyclables that previously were not universally collected at the curb.
Among the notable additions, addressing common household items, are nursery pots. These are the rigid plastic containers typically used for purchasing plants and flowers from garden centers. Also newly accepted are various plastic containers falling under the category of plastic pails and buckets. This expands the range of rigid plastic items that can be recycled at the curb, moving beyond just standard bottles and tubs.
Furthermore, a significant change involves beverage and food packaging known as cartons. Previously, acceptance of these varied depending on location. Now, under the new list, cartons are permitted statewide. This includes familiar items like those used for milk and other liquid foods, often referred to generically or specifically as “Tetra Paks” (a common brand name for a type of aseptic carton). Including cartons helps recover valuable paper fiber and plastic/aluminum layers.
The new rules also embrace certain forms of protective and rigid packaging made from recycled paper fibers that were often previously discarded. Specifically, egg cartons made of molded pulp and similar “molded pulp packaging” – the type frequently used for packaging fragile items, fruit, or small electronics – are now explicitly recyclable in Ashland’s curbside program.
Finally, the updated list includes certain types of metal beyond the typical food and beverage cans. Small pieces of scrap metal, often left over from small household repairs or discarded items, are now also accepted. This encourages residents to divert more metal materials, which are highly valuable commodities in the recycling market, from the waste stream.
Recology’s announcement on its website confirmed these specific additions, providing residents with essential information on the expanded capabilities of their curbside collection service starting Tuesday, July 1. These changes reflect the minimum standards set by the state under the Unified Statewide Collection List, ensuring a more uniform recycling experience across Oregon.
Implementing the Changes Locally
As the contracted provider for Ashland, Recology is tasked with implementing the new collection standards mandated by the Oregon Recycling Modernization Act and the Unified Statewide Collection List. This transition, effective Tuesday, July 1, requires operational adjustments to their collection routes, processing facilities, and significant public education efforts to inform residents of the changes.
Waste management professionals emphasize that while the list of accepted items is expanding, it remains crucial for residents to adhere strictly to the new guidelines. Including items that are not on the list can contaminate the recycling stream, leading to increased processing costs and potentially rendering entire batches of materials unrecyclable, which may then be sent to landfill. Therefore, understanding the specific additions – nursery pots, plastic pails and buckets, cartons (milk, “Tetra Paks”), egg cartons, molded pulp packaging, and scrap metal – is key to ensuring the success and efficiency of recycling under the new regime in Ashland.
Recology’s communication channels, including its website, serve as the primary sources of accurate, up-to-date information for Ashland residents regarding these specific operational changes that align with the state law taking effect on Tuesday, July 1. Residents are encouraged to consult these resources if they have questions about particular items.
What Ashland Residents Need to Know to Recycle Right
For Ashland residents, the primary action required is to familiarize themselves with the updated list of acceptable materials and adjust their home sorting practices accordingly. Starting Tuesday, July 1, they can confidently place clean nursery pots, plastic pails and buckets, cartons (including milk and “Tetra Paks”), egg cartons, molded pulp packaging, and small pieces of scrap metal into their blue recycling carts alongside previously accepted items like plastic bottles and tubs, paper, cardboard, and metal cans.
It is recommended that residents rinse containers to remove food residue, as cleanliness significantly helps maintain the quality and marketability of the recycled material and prevents contamination. While the list is expanding to include items like those mentioned, items not specifically listed – such as plastic bags, films, styrofoam, ceramics, window glass, or tanglers like hoses and wires – should still be kept out of the recycling cart as they can damage equipment or contaminate valuable materials.
The transition on Tuesday, July 1, under the framework of the Oregon Recycling Modernization Act and guided by the Unified Statewide Collection List, represents a significant and positive step towards a more standardized, effective, and potentially more environmentally beneficial recycling system for Oregon and for the community of Ashland served by Recology. Active participation and adherence to the new rules by all residents will be vital for the long-term success of this modernized program.
Conclusion: A New Era for Recycling in Ashland
The implementation of the Oregon Recycling Modernization Act and the subsequent adoption of the Unified Statewide Collection List mark a significant moment for waste management and resource recovery efforts across Oregon. Beginning Tuesday, July 1, Ashland residents, facilitated by Recology, will participate in this modernized system by incorporating newly accepted materials such as nursery pots, plastic pails and buckets, cartons (milk, “Tetra Paks”), egg cartons, molded pulp packaging, and scrap metal into their curbside recycling. This statewide effort, designed to streamline processes, reduce confusion, and boost the overall volume and quality of recycled materials, contributes directly to Oregon’s environmental sustainability goals and resource conservation initiatives for communities like Ashland. Understanding and adhering to the new collection standards will be paramount for all residents to maximize the positive impact of these significant changes.
