Skip to main content

Oregon State Flag An official website of the State of Oregon »

Oregon.gov Homepage

Commingled Recycling Processing Facilities

The Recycling Modernization Act (section-by-section summary) has a number of important details that relate to the facilities that process commingled recyclables from Oregon.

  • Sections 19 (ORS 459A.905) and 19A prohibit local governments from directing materials to facilities that are not permitted (if in-state), or certified or meet similar standards (if out-of-state).
  • Sections 37 (ORS 459A.955) and 38 (ORS 459A.956) define the requirements of a permit or certificate.
  • Sections 24 (ORS 459A.920) and 25 (ORS 459A.923) require DEQ to undertake several studies of the cost of commingled processing, and to use these studies to inform the development of fees which producer responsibility organizations will pay to commingled processing facilities. The fees will be designed to compensate facilities for the cost of removing covered products that are contaminants, and to protect ratepayers from increased costs associated with processing and marketing of recyclables.

These requirements were the subject of a rulemaking that DEQ undertook during 2023 and 2024. Initial research began in 2022. Initial research associated with the MRF Fees and Permit and Certification Programs project began in early 2023.

DEQ is convened two separate listening sessions to inform commingled recycling processing facilities and limited sort facilities of new permitting requirements in the future recycling system that will launch July 1, 2025.

CRPF Listening Session – Dec. 17, 2024
During this virtual listening session, DEQ covered the CRPF permitting process, requirements of the new CRPF permit program and funding provided to CRPFs. DEQ dedicated time for CRPFs to ask DEQ any questions they may have about the RMA system and their responsibilities in the future system.
LSF Listening Session – Dec. 19, 2024
During this virtual listening session, DEQ addressed what a limited sort facility is, the permitting process and permit requirements for such facilities and funding available to LSFs. This listening session was for any entity contemplating or interested in becoming a limited sort facility in the future system or for entities currently operating in a manner that meets the definition of Limited sort facility under proposed OAR 340-093-0030(65)(b).

Informational material

Technical workgroup

DEQ convened a technical workgroup to evaluate data and provide information related to commingled recycling processing facilities, specifically work related to the combined MRF Fees and Permit and Certification Programs project. The technical workgroup met from December 2022 to November 2023. 


Meeting 10: Limited Sort Facility Discussion, April 23, 2024

Meeting 9: Jan. 22, 2024 

Meeting 8: Dec. 4, 2023

Meeting 7: Oct. 26, 2023

Request for information

DEQ has published a Request for Information seeking information to help it develop a Request for Proposals for the studies mandated by ORS 459A.920 and ORS 459A.923. The deadline for responses was June 17, 2022. DEQ hosted a public meeting to answer questions about the Request for Information on June 1, 2022.

Contact

Justin Gast
Project Manager
503-869-4786