Rigid Plastic Containers

Oregon Rigid Plastic Container Law

Oregon's Rigid Plastic Container (RPC) Law was passed in 1991 as part of a comprehensive recycling and waste reduction law. It's intent was to kick-start the recycling of plastic containers in Oregon, and in that purpose it was successful. Most Oregon cities added mixed plastic bottles to their recycling curbside collection programs in the few years following passage of the law, and the recycling rate for plastic containers shot up above the 25% goal set in the law. In recent years, however, the recycling rate has slowly declined, until it bordered on 25% by 2004.

In 2006, however, the recycling rate for rigid plastic containers increased sharply. The two main reasons for this increase were:

1. Higher prices being paid for recycled plastic lead to increased collection of plastics generated by larger generators that may have previously been thrown away. These include plastics such as 5-gallon plastic buckets, tubs, flower pots, and trays.
2. A number of curbside recycling programs began collecting recyclables in large roll carts instead of small bins, and also began collecting tubs, flower pots, and buckets in addition to plastic bottles. Both factors have caused increases in the tons of plastic containers collected from the public for recycling.

Based on the low recycling rates from 2004 and 2005, DEQ had released a report in December 2006 indicating that the recycling rate for rigid plastic containers was expected to fall below 25% in 2007. However, after 2006 recycling data arrived at DEQ in early 2007, it became evident the recycling rate had risen. Thus, based on the new information, DEQ on June 20, 2007 issued a supplement to the 2005/2007 recycling rate report which reversed the earlier conclusion and concluded that the aggregate recycling rate for rigid plastic containers for 2007 would remain above 2007. The 2006/2008 report, released December 31, 2007, confirms those recycling results and determines that the aggregate recycling rate for compliance purposes will remain above 25% for 2008.

• Publications
  The above link will take you to the following reports on rigid plastic containers in PDF format.
  • Current report: Rigid Plastic Container 2006/2008 Recycling Rates
  • Presentation January 8, 2008: Oregon Rigid Plastic Container Recycling 2006/2008
  • Supplement to the 2005/2007 Recycling Rates Report
• Fact Sheet: Rigid Plastic Containers Rule Summary PDF

Oregon Rigid Plastic Container Law (see Laws and Regulations link above):

• Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 459A:
  Scroll down to ORS 459A.650 to 459A.685 for laws pertaining to rigid plastic containers.
• Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 340 Division 90:
  Scroll down to OAR 340-090-0310 through 340-090-0430 for the rules pertaining to rigid plastic containers.

For more information

• California's Rigid Plastic Packaging Container Program
  Both California and Oregon passed similar laws on rigid plastic containers in 1991. However, there are a few key differences between the laws, and these differences have been amplified by subsequent amendments.

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