Rogue Waste System's Scott Fowler (left) and Laura Leebrick (center) have nowhere to send about 2,000 tons of baled and stacked of co-mingled recycling.
Jes Burns, OPB / EarthFIx
Despite Oregon’s green reputation, residents continue to throw too much of their trash into their recycling bins. The Department of Environmental Quality now has a comprehensive plan to overhaul the system and combat “wishcycling” once and for all. It includes changes to how packaging is labeled, a master list of recyclable materials for the entire state and getting companies that sell paper and packaging to help pay for solutions. The DEQ is drafting the legislation for lawmakers to take up in the 2021 session. We get details from David Allaway, senior policy analyst in the DEQ’s Materials Management Program.
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