RecycleOn Oregon marks one year of expanding recycling access across the state

Medford, Ore. — One year after launching the nation’s first producer-funded recycling system, RecycleOn Oregon is celebrating major milestones that are transforming how Oregonians recycle. Since its launch in July 2025, the statewide initiative has expanded access to recycling services, strengthened recycling infrastructure, and made it easier for thousands of residents to recycle responsibly.

“We have a program that allows shredded paper, plastic bags that would normally end up in landfill that comes over to us, so we can get them to the right recyclers so they can repurpose,” said Mike Amato, director of retail operations.

Administered by Circular Action Alliance Oregon and established under a first-of-its-kind Oregon law, the program requires companies that produce paper and packaging to help fund the collection and recycling of those materials. The innovative approach aims to create a more consistent, accessible, and sustainable recycling system for communities across the state.

During its first year, RecycleOn Oregon has delivered significant results, including expanding curbside recycling to communities that previously had no access. The program also opened 34 RecycleOn Centers throughout Oregon, providing convenient drop-off locations for materials that cannot be placed in curbside recycling carts.

The initiative has invested heavily in recycling infrastructure by funding more than 36,000 new recycling carts, adding 11 collection trucks, and investing approximately $30 million in upgrades to recycling sorting facilities. In addition, the program supported the collection and transportation of approximately 530 million pounds of recyclable materials to sorting facilities statewide.

“We have 36,000 that has hit the streets, those are residents and businesses that have hit the streets within the communities in Oregon that didn’t have recycling services,” Executive Director, Kim Holmes said.