Overview
Plastics are everywhere in our fast-paced lives from food packaging, toys, personal care products, electronics, household goods, clothing, cars, to medical devices and building materials. While plastics are exceptionally useful, they are also strong, long-lasting and contain a large variety of chemicals that give them their unique properties and can last a long time in the environment.
Plastics entering the environment continues to increase at a rapid rate affecting marine and freshwater ecology and their creatures. Plastics also negatively affect distant places where materials are sent for processing and recycling. Plastics management is a priority for Oregon, across the country and worldwide.
Programs include responsible management of plastic packaging waste via the Plastics Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act. The law sets a new standard for shared responsibility for waste management and is intended to improve recycling, while also decreasing plastic pollution due to improper handling and waste management practices.
Other product stewardship programs include extended producer responsibility programs for:
Relevant research and resources