Recycling rules seem to be changing, and I want to be sure I’m doing the right thing. Do you have up-to-date information on which plastics can be recycled, and how to recycle plastic bags and Styrofoam in Oregon?
You’re correct that recycling rules in Oregon are evolving. In 2020, the Oregon Legislature passed the Recycling Modernization Act, a major overhaul of the state’s recycling system. Oregon residents began seeing the first statewide changes starting July 1, 2025, with additional updates rolling out over time.
The goal of this law is to make recycling simpler, more consistent and more effective statewide. It also gives recycling companies time to upgrade their facilities and equipment so they can process the materials Oregonians put in their recycling carts.
One statewide list of what’s recyclable
For the first time, Oregon now has one uniform list of what can go in household curbside recycling bins, no matter where you live. As of July 1, residents can place an expanded list of items in their recycling carts and trust that those materials will be recycled.
All items must be empty, clean and dry of food, debris and liquid residue. The expanded curbside list includes:
- Molded pulp packaging, such as egg cartons
(Not accepted: food service ware or flower pots) - Polycoated and aseptic cartons, such as:
- Milk cartons
- Shelf-stable soup, broth and beverage cartons
- Steel cans, including empty, dry paint cans
- Nursery (plant) packaging made from #2 and #5 plastics only
- Scrap metal that is:
- Less than 10 pounds
- Less than 18 inches long
- Not sharp and not tanglers (no wire or chains)
- Plastic tubs made from #1, #2 and #5 plastics only
- Plastic bottles that:
- Are at least 2 inches by 2 inches
- Are made from #1, #2 or #5 plastics only
- May have caps left on if screwed on
- Plastic buckets, pails and other bulky storage containers made from #5 plastic
For the most current information, residents should always check RecycleOn Oregon, which is updated as facility capacity expands.
What about plastic bags and plastic film?
Plastic film is not accepted in curbside recycling. However, many grocery and retail stores offer plastic film drop-off barrels for items such as:
- Clean plastic shopping bags
- Bread bags
- Produce bags
- Plastic wrap from paper products
It’s important to follow the instructions on these collection bins carefully. Putting the wrong kind of film in the barrel can contaminate the entire load, causing it to be rejected and landfilled instead of recycled. If you’re unsure whether an item belongs, it’s best to leave it out.
What about Styrofoam?
Styrofoam — also known as expanded polystyrene — is not accepted in curbside recycling in Oregon. Recycling options for Styrofoam are limited and change frequently. Some private businesses and special collection events may accept clean Styrofoam, but availability varies by region.
The most reliable way to find a local option is to search:
“Styrofoam recycling near me” or “Styrofoam recycling in Oregon.”
If no local option exists, Styrofoam must go in the trash.
Why isn’t everything recyclable?
Even when recycling service is included with garbage pickup, recyclable materials are commodities that are bought and sold on global markets. For a material to be recycled:
- There must be a market for it, and
- The cost of collecting, sorting and transporting it must be less than what the market will pay
If either condition isn’t met, the material is likely to be landfilled — even if it was placed in a recycling bin.
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