Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Recycling topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Recology briefed Nehalem council on Recycling Modernization Act: manufacturers’ funds could offset curbside recycling
Summary
Recology told Nehalem officials that Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act funds will begin July 1 and could provide roughly $3 per capita annually to support contamination‐reduction education and help offset curbside recycling costs; Recology proposed 96‑gallon carts as one option.
Dan Blue, government and community relations manager for Recology, told the Nehalem City Council on March 10 that Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act (RMA) will start a staged rollout beginning July 1 and that manufacturers will begin providing substantial funding to improve the state’s recycling system.
Blue said the RMA funding is expected to be rolled in over two years and that manufacturers will invest “hundreds of millions of dollars into the state of Oregon to start improving Oregon’s recycling system.” He said the program’s technical assistance and contamination‑reduction funding is estimated at about $3.00 per capita per year and could be used for outreach and education to lower contamination rates in local recycling streams.
Recology representatives said the city’s participation could allow some program funds to be invested locally and reported as part of normal rate‑review processes. The company is evaluating whether curbside recycling would be provided as a universal service or as a subscription add‑on, and Councilors asked about impacts on the urban growth boundary, businesses and multi‑family housing.
Operations Manager Katie Hardesty said the proposed collection cart for curbside service would be 96 gallons. Blue told Council the program could offset some costs but cautioned that final service design, participation by neighboring cities and DEQ rules will determine the details and potential rate impacts. He recommended coordination with nearby cities (Manzanita and Wheeler) because collective service area decisions can affect cost and implementation.
Next steps: Recology offered to return with cost estimates if Nehalem expresses interest and staff pursues formal discussions with neighboring jurisdictions and DEQ.
