Lane County commissioners on July 28 approved a first reading and set a July 22 public hearing on an ordinance to update Lane Code Chapter 9 to conform to Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act, and separately accepted funding arrangements under the new producer‑responsibility program.

Jeff Orlandini, Waste Management Division manager, introduced Ordinance 2505 and said the update implements statewide changes required by the Plastic Pollution Recycling Modernization Act (often referenced as SB 582) and related updates to Oregon Revised Statutes and Oregon Administrative Rules. "The board is being asked to approve ordinance 25‑05 to adopt the new provisions related to the Recycling Modernization Act to comply with Oregon revised statutes and Oregon administrative rules," Orlandini said.

Why it matters: the state law standardizes a uniform statewide collection list so residents across urban and rural communities can expect consistent curbside and depot recycling options. Producers of packaging materials fund the program through a producer responsibility organization; the county presented an estimated reimbursement eligibility of up to $4.2 million for Lane County to support necessary system upgrades.

Presentation and funding agreements
Lane County staff explained that the new law became effective July 1, 2025, and that implementation work includes updating collection lists, contract language with haulers, staff training, public education and potential capital upgrades at facilities (for example, compactors or forklifts) to accept and process additional materials. The county described coordination with the Circular Action Alliance (CAA), a producer responsibility organization that will collect producer fees and reimburse jurisdictions and service providers for eligible expenses.

"These investments could be things like on‑site compactors, forklifts, containers, staff resources to manage acceptance as well as contamination," a Waste Management presenter said, noting county staff are coordinating a regional marketing and communications plan and that Angi (Angie) Marzano’s team is leading local outreach and program alignment.

Board votes
- The board approved the first reading of ordinance 25‑05 and set a second reading and public hearing for July 22, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. (motion passed 5‑0).
- The board approved Board Order 25070811 to accept funding and delegated authority to the county administrator to execute related funding agreements and addenda with the Circular Action Alliance to support system expansion investments payable to Lane County (motion passed 5‑0). The county described the authority as necessary to move quickly in a rapidly evolving statewide implementation process; staff and counsel said agreements would be reviewed by county counsel prior to execution.

Implementation notes and constraints
County staff emphasized that the state program is new and evolving; the Circular Action Alliance will reimburse eligible costs and the county will only seek reimbursement for recognized, eligible expenditures. Staff estimated Lane County’s eligible reimbursements at up to $4,200,000 based on preliminary needs. Commissioners asked staff to advise the board when material changes to funding agreements occur and noted the risk that a funded mandate could become partially unfunded if state or producer funding structures change in later rulemaking.

Next steps
Staff will finalize reimbursement agreements with the Circular Action Alliance and continue outreach to cities and haulers to implement the uniform statewide collection list, update contracts and coordinate public education. The sweeping code amendments will return for a second reading and a public hearing on July 22, 2025.