LOC News
Last Week to Secure Funding: Needs Assessment Survey for Recycling Modernization Funding Closes April 14
The Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, which passed in 2021 and took effect January 1, 2022, modernizes Oregon’s recycling system by building on local community programs and leveraging the resources of producers to create a system which gives everyone the same opportunity to recycle. The law provides new opportunities for Oregon local governments and their service providers to receive funding to expand recycling services starting July 1, 2025.
To be eligible for funding, local governments must complete an online needs assessment survey that is now live and available until April 14.
Local governments are encouraged to work with their service provider(s) to fill out the survey, but each local government must submit its own survey to be eligible for funding.
Suggestions/Tips:
- Meet with your service provider(s) before completing the survey to get additional ideas of what is needed in your community;
- Consider meeting with your county and other nearby communities to coordinate and share information; and
- Until April 14, your survey response can be changed! You can return to the survey and resubmit if you learn new information or change your mind.
The survey asks local governments to broadly identify the types of new or expanded recycling services they want to bring to their communities. Local governments and service providers should have received a link to the electronic survey in early January. If you did not receive the survey or would like a hard copy, please contact RethinkRecycling@deq.oregon.gov.
Hard copy versions can also be requested by phone by contacting one of the following regional specialists for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ):
- Eastern Region
- Laurie Gordon, laurie.gordon@deq.oregon.gov, 541-633-2029
- Northwest Region
- Lexi Meek, lexi.meek@deq.oregon.gov, 503-229-5790
- Gretchen Sandau, gretchen.sandau@deq.oregon.gov, 503-915-6786
- Western Region
- Cathy Brown, cathy.brown@deq.oregon.gov, 541-687-7325
- Cat Rhoades, cathie.rhoades@deq.oregon.gov, 503-378-5089
Check the DEQ website (RecyclingAct.Oregon.gov) for updates, and contact RethinkRecycling@deq.oregon.gov with questions.
Contact: Michael Martin, Lobbyist - mmartin@orcities.org
Last Updated 4/7/23