Get Familiar with Oregon's New Standardized Recycling

Oregon has a new law called the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, which started in July 2025. This law helps make recycling in Oregon easier and makes companies responsible for their packaging. Now, you can recycle the same items no matter where you live in Oregon.

Recycling has been around in Salem for a long time, but it changed recently. Some items were no longer accepted because of new rules from China about the recycling they would accept. Salem is now working to make sure that recycling goes to a responsible end party where it will be properly recycled and reused. With the new state recycling rules, there are some changes to what you can put in your co-mingle recycling bin.

What You Can Recycle in the Mixed Recycling Bin:

• Plastic Containers: You can recycle plastic bottles and jugs. NEW: You can now also recycle buckets, rigid plant pots, and food containers such as sour cream and yogurt tubs. All items must be 2 inches by 2 inches or larger, rinsed out, and dry.
• Cans and Metal: Aluminum and steel cans. NEW: You can now also recycle scrap metal that weighs less than 10 pounds and is less than 18 inches long such as metal pots or pans.
• Cardboard and Cartons: Cardboard and packaging, such as cereal boxes. NEW: You can now also recycle cardboard juice and milk cartons, and pizza boxes with no food residue.
• Paper Products: Paper products like newspaper, magazines, office paper, etc. NEW: You can now recycle paper egg cartons and gift-wrapping tissue (with no foil or glitter.)

What You Cannot Recycle:

• No plastic bags or stretchy plastics. Don't bag your recyclables.
• No hoses, cords, chains, or wires.
• No foam.
• No frozen food boxes.
• No food or liquids.

Make sure all containers are empty and dry before recycling!

Small Bin - Specific to Salem

Salem will still have a smaller bin for glass. You can also put cooking oil or car oil in their original containers, with a lid on, in this bin. You can recycle household batteries too, but they must be sealed in a plastic bag that can be zipped closed.

You can find more information on RecycleOn.org/Oregon