Solid Waste

Oregon law establishes a hierarchy for the management of solid waste. The first objective is to prevent the generation of the waste. If that is not possible, reuse is the next best option, followed by recycling, composting, and energy recovery. Safe disposal is the last option, if none of the others is feasible.

Solid Waste Forum and News
A web page devoted to information about the Solid Waste Forum and new developments in DEQ's Solid Waste Program.

• Waste Prevention and Reuse
  This category includes the hierarchy objectives "prevent," "reduce" and "reuse." Within this category you will find topics such as:
  • climate change (aka global warming)
  • commercial waste reduction clearinghouse
  • grants
  • green building
  • household hazardous waste
  • mercury
  • packaging
  • product stewardship
  • waste prevention strategy
• Waste Recovery and Composting
  This category combines the hierarchy objectives of "recycle" and "compost," and includes topics such as:
  • Electronics
    • E-Waste facility regulation
    • Oregon E-Cycles Program
  • grants
  • household hazardous waste
  • material recovery and waste generation
  • mercury
  • Oregon Bottle Bill
  • permits
  • residential composting
  • rigid plastic containers
  • used oil
  • waste tires
• Disposal
  This category, which incorporates "energy recovery" and "disposal" includes topics on:
  • active permitted facilities - including landfills
  • disaster debris management
    • local governments
    • residents
  • infectious waste
  • mercury
  • permits
  • pharmaceutical waste disposal (household)
  • waste tires
  • waste composition

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