Oregon Approves Producer Responsibility Organization Program Plan

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) approved a program plan submitted by Circular Action Alliance (CAA) in response to the state’s Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (SB 582), which was passed in 2021. The law requires producers of covered materials – which include packaging, food service ware, and printing and writing paper products – to join and pay a membership fee to a producer responsibility organization (PRO). In addition, it specifies that producers must meet recycling goals for plastic packaging and food service ware. The PROs (more than one may operate in the state) are responsible for collection and recycling of covered materials.

Acceptance of CAA’s plan by DEQ makes CAA the PRO for Oregon’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) requirements for packaging, paper, and food service ware. The plan describes the Alliance’s approach to implementing the EPR requirements required under SB582 beginning July 1, 2025. According to a DEQ press release, the plan aims to “enhance recycling, waste reduction and reuse across the state through several key initiatives, including:

• Providing funding to local governments and recycling service providers for improvements to Oregon’s recycling system;
• Establishing locations around the state to collect harder-to-recycle items;
• Ensuring that collected materials are recycled responsibly;
• Creating educational resources to help people learn about recycling changes and opportunities; and
• Reducing environmental impacts of paper, packaging, and food serviceware through fee incentives and by capitalizing a new waste reduction and reuse program.”