LOC News
Amendment Language Posted for Recycling Modernization Bill
On Tuesday, the Senate Energy & Environment Committee held a work session on SB 581 and SB 582, two bills that aim to modernize Oregon’s recycling system. SB 581 was amended with -1 amendments which establish a Truth in Labeling Task Force to study and evaluate misleading or confusing claims related to the recyclability of products or product packaging. The bill will now move to the Joint Ways and Means Committee for further consideration.
SB 582 proposes significant modifications to Oregon’s recycling system, including changes that will impact local governments. The bill was amended on Tuesday with the -9 amendment which include changes requested by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The amendments cover 102 pages and reflect feedback that the DEQ has received from a variety of stakeholder interests. The bill will now head to the Joint Ways and Means Committee for further consideration.
While local governments are encouraged to review the -9 amendments, a summary of the proposed legislation is included below.
SB 582, with the proposed -9 amendments:
- Establishes a producer responsibility model and requires certain producers of “covered products” to financially contribute to (through annual fees) and participate in an approved producer responsibility organization (PRO).
- Defines “covered products” to include packaging; printing and writing paper; and food serviceware. Provides for specific exemptions to the definition of “covered products” and provides additional clarity through definitions to the terms “packaging,” “printing and writing paper” and “food serviceware.”
- Authorizes the Environmental Quality Commission to adopt a uniform statewide list of materials that are suitable for recycling collection. Under current law, the list of recyclable materials varies locally which has resulted in ongoing consumer confusion, inequities and recycling contamination.
- Requires producer responsibility organizations to submit a plan to the DEQ that outlines how the PRO will work within the recycling system to meet specified provisions of the bill.
- Requires local governments that provide the opportunity to recycle to also provide multifamily properties with collection of materials on the uniform statewide list and ensure adequate space and container placement for multifamily properties.
- Outlines how funds collected through the PRO will be made available to local governments for eligible costs. Compensation to local governments can occur either in advance or as a reimbursement (see Section 13 of the -9 amendments). Examples of eligible costs for compensation include:
- The costs of transporting covered products from a recycling depot or recycling reload facility to a commingled recycling processing facility or a responsible end market.
- The costs of contamination reduction programming for residential and commercial customers.
- The costs of upgrading or establishing recycling at multifamily facilities, including site improvements and construction of enclosures. Funding available for this purpose will be capped, under the proposed amendment, at $5 million per year.
- The costs of contamination reduction programming for residential and commercial customers. Funding available for this purpose will also be capped, under the proposed amendment, at $3 per capita.
- In addition, PROs must establish and implement, no later than July 1, 2028, a program to clean up and prevent litter and marine debris. The program must provide grants or direct payments to eligible entities, including local governments. Funds available for this purpose will be capped at $10 million per year.
In addition, SB 582, with the proposed -9 amendment, establishes an Oregon Recycling System Advisory Council and its responsibilities, including PRO plan review and making recommendations to the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission about the uniform statewide collection list of recyclable materials.
Contact: Tracy Rutten Rainey, Lobbyist – trutten@orcities.org
Last Updated 4/16/21