Deschutes County Expands Options for Hard-to-Recycle Items
New drop-off containers now available at transfer stations and Knott Landfill
Deschutes County
Deschutes County Solid Waste has expanded its recycling options to include several items that cannot be placed in standard curbside recycling bins. Beginning December 2, new collection containers will be available at County transfer stations and at Deschutes Recycling at the Knott Landfill.
Residents can now drop off the following items free of charge:
Plastic bags
Plastic lids from containers such as yogurt or sour cream tubs
Shredded paper (must be inside a paper bag)
Aluminum foil and trays
Rigid product buckets and pails, including those from cat litter or laundry detergent
Rigid plastic package handles, such as six-pack carriers
These items can be brought to the Negus, Southwest, and Northwest Transfer Stations, as well as to Deschutes Recycling at Knott Landfill. All previously accepted recyclables will continue to be collected at these sites.
“Residents now have additional recycling options for some of those hard to recycle items and can drop them off at our county transfer stations for free,” said Solid Waste Director Tim Brownell. “These changes allow us to keep valuable materials out of our landfills and put them back into use as new materials.”
The expansion is part of Oregon’s Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (RMA), which took effect in July. The law aims to simplify recycling statewide and increase the number of convenient drop-off locations. The program is funded in part by producers of packaging and paper products.
More information about acceptable materials, drop-off locations, and hours is available through Deschutes County Solid Waste. Details about the Recycling Modernization Act can be found through the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
