Republic Services explains 3.57% residential rate adjustment, new statewide recycling rules
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Summary
Republic Services told the Philomath City Council it calculated this year’s refuse rate changes with an index tied mainly to CPI and said new Oregon recycling rules will allow more material — including some metals and buckets — in curbside carts.
Julie Jackson, a representative of Republic Services, described company rate adjustments and the state—ffort to standardize recycling rules in Oregon during the Philomath City Council meeting on Oct. 13.
Jackson said the company uses a refuse-rate index it developed with local governments that is weighted mostly to CPI but also factors in disposal and operational costs. She told the council the residential portion of this year djustment is 3.57 percent. Industrial customers face a 2.2 percent change; commercial changes use a mix of PPI and disposal-cost inputs.
The company representative also summarized the Recycling Modernization Act implementation and the role of the Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO), which in Oregon is operating under the name Circular Action Alliance (CAA). Jackson said the state—egan the first steps of the program on July 1 and that producers, through the PRO, are coordinating a single approach to recycling graphics and accepted materials statewide.
Why it matters: A higher residential rate affects household utility budgets; the new standardization can change what residents may place in their curbside carts and is intended to reduce contamination and increase recovery rates across jurisdictions. Both the rate adjustment and the recycling changes affect city customers and service planning.
Most important details
- Rate methodology: Republic Services said rates are set using a refuse-rate index tied primarily to CPI and adjusted by line of business (industrial, commercial, residential). - Residential change: Jackson said the 2025 residential rate adjustment is 3.57 percent. - Commercial and industrial: Jackson reported industrial customers re adjusted 100% by CPI (2.2% noted), while commercial increases were described as 78% PPI, 18% disposal cost and 4% PRC compost-facility costs. - Disposal facilities mentioned: Coffin Butte (disposal) and PRC (Pacific Region compost facility) are referenced in the company—xplanation of disposal-based cost shares.
New recycling rules and practical guidance
Jackson said the state rules now allow several materials into curbside recycling that previously were inconsistently accepted across jurisdictions:
- Lids may remain on bottles and jars; new sorting equipment separates necks automatically. Residents should still rinse containers. - Up to 5-gallon plastic buckets that are no longer usable may be placed in carts (handles need not be removed). - Larger nursery pots (roughly 2-quart and bigger) are acceptable; small —risp—-pack trays remain excluded. - Metal items: residents may place scrap metal up to about 10 pounds and 18 inches in diameter in carts; Jackson said metal weight helps increase the jurisdiction—apture rate because recovery is measured by weight. - Paper items: traditional gable-top milk cartons can be recycled if rinsed and opened to avoid mold; aseptic cartons (broth/cartons) are on the list though harder to process. - Pizza boxes: remove grease-soiled sections; the clean portion can be recycled.
Contamination issues and hazardous items
Jackson emphasized contamination remains the primary operational challenge (plastic bags and batteries were singled out). She asked residents to avoid placing recyclables inside stretch plastic bags because they tangle in sorting machinery and said batteries, particularly lithium cells from toys and electronics, pose a fire risk in collection trucks. Jackson advised using hazardous waste collection events for batteries; she said one is typically scheduled in November.
Council interaction and local notes
Council members asked clarifying questions about lids and greasy jars; Jackson recommended keeping lids on to contain liquids that might otherwise soil paper. Jackson also noted Republic Services donated about $60,000 (cash and in kind) in Benton County over the last year and mentioned company support for local flower baskets in Philomath.
Ending
Jackson said the PRO/CAA marketing and outreach (RecycleOn) provides standardized graphics and that the state pproach aims to make recycling consistent across Oregon. She encouraged residents to review the distributed one-page guidance and said Republic Services will continue outreach at local events such as the farmers market.
