Recycling in Oregon changed this year – see what’s new!

Oregonians love to recycle, but it's important to only put accepted items in your bin. Putting non-recyclable items in your bin reduces the effectiveness of our recycling system and decreases the economic incentive to recycle. Items such as plastic bags, take-out food containers, or shredded paper should never be placed in commingled recycling bins.

When in doubt, throw it out. Take a look at the graphics below to learn what items can and cannot be recycled locally. Any items that are not included on the local acceptance list should be put in the trash-even if they have the chasing arrows symbol. You can download our Recycling Flyer that shows what items are accepted and what items are not. Additionally, you can use Lane County's Waste Wise tool to search for information on items you have questions about. This tool can also help you find out how to make an appointment to dispose of hazardous waste or report illegal dumping, and more.

Background

In 2022, Oregon's legislature passed the Recycling Modernization Act to update our state's recycling system by leveraging packaging producer resources to create more resilient and comprehensive recycling opportunities for Oregon residents in the future. These recycling program changes began in July 2025 and will expand access to recycling services, upgrade recycling sorting facilities, and reduce plastic pollution.

Here in Eugene, the first major change under the RMA is the transition to the Uniform Statewide Collection List (USCL). As of July 1, 2025, Eugene businesses and residents can put a variety of new items into their commingled recycling bins, including aseptic containers (such as milk cartons) and plastic tubs. Please review the full list of recyclable items above.

Eugene will also use funding from the RMA to reduce contamination in our recycling streams. Local haulers and community-based organizations (CBOs) will implement a variety of programs aimed at making sure our recycling is as clean as possible.

For more information on the Recycling Modernization Act and recycling in Eugene, please visit our Recycling Information page, or visit the following sites for statewide information: