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Local Government Recycling Collection Expansion Needs Assessment

All Oregon cities and counties, regardless of size, will be eligible to receive funding from producer responsibility organizations for new expansion of on-route collection for residents and businesses, depot collection or both for covered recycling products under ORS 459A.890(5)

The first step of this process is for local governments to complete the first needs assessment survey, which asks local governments to indicate their interest in expanding recycling collection opportunities in their communities. DEQ is conducting this needs assessment survey January through April 2023 and then periodically thereafter. This first needs assessment survey will gauge interest from all local governments statewide to expand recycling collection services for the first program plan period which is from July 2025 through 2027.

Eligible expenses include startup and expansion costs associated with on-route collection of covered recyclable products and both startup and ongoing operating costs of new or expanded depots for covered recyclable products. If necessary and none other is available, establishment of a recycling reload facility with the necessary compaction equipment qualifies as an eligible expense. The list of recycling materials that can be collected commingled on-route and at depots will be identified via the rulemaking process.

DEQ will complete the needs assessment by July 1, 2023 and provide that information to the PROs. PROs will be required to describe how they will provide funding to local governments in the program plan they submit to DEQ by March 31, 2024 for DEQ review and approval. Once a program plan is approved, PROs will begin working with local governments and their service providers to determine implementation. Expansion would occur after July 1, 2025. 

Survey details

The needs assessment survey will be conducted from Jan. 5 to April 14, 2023. All counties (answering on behalf of unincorporated communities within the county), incorporated cities, and service providers will receive a link to the survey by email. Communications will come from DEQ's contractor, Eunomia Research & Consulting.

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. To be eligible for funding a local government must complete the needs assessment survey. Request a hardcopy version of the survey by emailing RethinkRecycling@deq.oregon.gov or by calling your DEQ Regional Specialist:

​Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Milton-Freewater, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco and Wheeler counties: 
  • Laurie Gordon  
    475 NE Bellevue, Suite 110
    Bend, OR 97701
    Office: 541-633-2029, Cell: 541-408-7842

​Opportunity to Recycle - Clatsop 
Other Issues - Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington:
  • Lexi Meek  
    700 NE Multnomah St., Suite 600
    Portland, OR 97201-4987
    Office: 503-229-5790, Cell: 503-319-5681

Opportunity to Recycle - Columbia, Tillamook
Other Issues - Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington:​
  • Gretchen Sandau  
    700 NE Multnomah St., Suite 600
    Portland, OR 97201-4987
    Cell: 503-915-6786


​Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine and Lane counties:
  • Cathy Brown 
    165 East Seventh St., Suite 100
    Eugene, OR 97401
    Office: 541-687-7325, Cell:  503-753-6153
Benton, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties:
  • Cat Rhoades  
    4026 Fairview Industrial Drive SE
    Salem, OR 97302
    Office: 503-378-5089, Cell: 503-446-7410

Information sessions

Two virtual information sessions on the needs assessment survey were held on Jan. 12 and Jan. 24, 2023. 



Rulemaking

DEQ is undergoing the first rulemaking process for the Recycling Modernization Act. You can find more information on the rulemaking process associated with implementation of the Recycling Modernization Act can be found on our Recycling Updates 2023 Rulemaking page

Roxann Nayar
Rulemaking contact

Contact

For questions about the Needs Assessment Survey, contact RethinkRecycling@deq.oregon.gov