Recycling
Recycling puts materials that would have ended up in the garbage back into the manufacturing loop. This means less virgin material has to be mined or harvested. So recycling is an important action, but only if the item is actually recyclable. Check out our resources below to learn how to recycle right in Deschutes County.
Change is here! The Recycling Modernization Act
In July 2025, The Recycling Modernization Act (RMA) came into effect. The RMA improves Oregon's recycling system and places part of the cost on producers of packaging through an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program.
Recycling Myth Busters!
- The chasing arrow symbol above? Ignore it- it does not indicate whether or not an item is recyclable. We see it everywhere, on packaging labels and stamped into plastics. California recently passed a Truth in Labeling bill, which prohibits use of the recycling symbol (chasing arrows) unless an item is truly recyclable. A Truth in Labeling task force assembled as part of Oregon's Recycling Modernization Act, recommended state legislature explore similar regulations here in Oregon.
- The little numbers stamped into plastics? Ignore those too! Here in Deschutes County, we do not recycling plastics by numbers. Plastics are recyclable depending on the shape- only jugs, tubs, bottles, and buckets larger than 2"x2" are accepted in commingled recycling.
- Yes- your recycling actually gets recycled! If you place an item in your recycling bin that is not recyclable, it will be removed and landfilled. However, if you are recycling correctly, those items will be recycled.
- No- your recyclables are not sent overseas! Part of the Recycling Modernization Act includes greater transparency on end-markets (where your recyclables end up). To see a list of current Oregon end markets, check this document out!
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