City staff outline Recycling Modernization Act obligations and contamination‑reduction plans

City staff presented Newport’s Opportunity to Recycle report and explained changes required under Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act during the Feb. 2 council meeting.

Amy Thompson (presenter) told councilors that communities with 4,000 or more residents must file the Opportunity to Recycle report and said the 2021 Recycling Modernization Act (effective July) focuses on reducing contamination to increase marketability of recyclables. "It's their right," Thompson said of access to recycling and described a contamination‑reduction program that starts with driver notifications for curbside contamination, followed by letters and, after repeated incidents, a fee. She said the coast’s contamination rate is about 13% and the statewide goal is 10% by 2033.

Thompson highlighted that Newport opened a staffed recycling depot and that funding from the Recycling Modernization Act helps pay a depot attendant to prevent contamination through in-person education. She said the city diverted about 70% of event waste at last year’s Seafood & Wine festival with volunteer help and that additional depot items (film plastic, yogurt lids, aluminum foil and steel cans) may be added in early 2027.

Councilors asked how multifamily residents will receive information; Thompson said a mailer (with magnets) will be sent to each postal address in the service area and that cart stickers and targeted outreach to multifamily properties are planned. Per‑capita reimbursement for the waste shed is $3 per person and will help offset some costs such as depot attendant pay and outreach materials.

Staff provided the full report in the meeting packet and said the city will continue outreach and educational work to reduce contamination rates across the waste shed.