DEQ Keeps Oregon at the Forefront of Recyling

Environmental Challenge

Oregon has long held a national reputation as a leader in recycling. Our "Bottle Bill," enacted in 1971, was the first in the nation, and has greatly reduced the amount of soft drink and beer containers littering our landscape and filling Oregon landfills.

Oregon’s overall rate of recycling remains among the highest nationally. But as times have changed so has the need to update Oregon's recycling policies.

Success Story

DEQ is an advocate for strengthening the Bottle Bill. Thanks to legislation supported by DEQ and passed by the Oregon Legislature, the Bottle Bill expanded in January 2009 to include water and flavored-water bottles, which have proliferated in recent years.

Oregon E-Cycles, the state's new electronics recycling program, is another initiative in which DEQ has played a leading role. The program allows the public to safely dispose of their unwanted televisions, computers and monitors for free at more than 200 collection sites throughout the state.

Oregon State Senators Jackie Dingfelder (left) and Frank Morse at the Oregon E-Cycles' kick-off event in February 2009. The 2007 electronics recycling legislation, sponsored by then-Representative Dingfelder, requires manufacturers to provide recycling of their computers, laptops, monitors and TVs sold in Oregon.

Recycling electronics prevents toxic materials such as lead, cadmium and mercury from impairing the environment. Launched in January 2009, the program is paid for and partly administered by electronics manufacturers in a unique partnership with DEQ. Beginning in January 2010, it will be illegal to dispose of computers, monitors and TVs in the garbage.

DEQ is also supportive of policies and legislation to promote the convenient, safe disposal of other products such as paint, rechargeable batteries and mercury containing compact fluorescent lamps.