Wildlife Over Waste

Oregon Legislature passes bill to improve state recycling system

For decades, Oregonians and our environment have paid the price for plastic pollution. A new bill will shift some of that cost to the plastics producers.

For decades, Oregonians and our environment have paid the price for plastic pollution. A new bill will shift some of that cost to the plastics producers.

On June 25, the Oregon Legislature passed SB 582 to update the state’s recycling system and require producers to cover some of the costs to manage the waste their products become. The bill now heads to Gov. Kate Brown’s desk for signing.

“This bill will lead to a lot of much-needed improvements to our recycling system,” said Environment Oregon State Director Celeste Meiffren-Swango. “But the reality is recycling is not going to fix all of our environmental challenges. It is simply not enough to have a place for our garbage to go — we need to focus on creating less garbage in the first place.”

Environment Oregon will continue calling for bans on the single-use plastic products that pollute our communities and environment and threaten wildlife.

Read more about the bill.

Learn more about our Wildlife Over Waste campaign. 

Photo: Environment Oregon State Director Celeste Meiffren-Swango testified before state decision-makers for increased producer responsibility for plastic waste and a modernized recycling system in Oregon on Feb. 23. Credit: Staff

Protect our waters and wildlife from waste
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Beyond plastic

Protect our waters and wildlife from waste

Each year, Americans throw away millions of foam cups and take-out boxes. Too often, this pollution ends up in our oceans and rivers, where it can harm or even kill birds, fish and other wildlife.

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