City sustainability coordinator outlines plan to implement Oregon recycling modernization law

Jessica Forteo, the city’s new sustainability outreach and education coordinator, told the council she will lead local work to implement the Oregon Recycling Modernization Act and its statewide rules on acceptable materials and producer responsibility. "My focus will be helping our community navigate the changes to the Oregon Opportunity to Recycle Act," Forteo said, adding that the effort includes multilingual materials, targeted campaigns for high‑contamination areas and partnerships with schools and local organizations.

Forteo said staff have begun outreach at the Umatilla Farmers Market and will pilot a cart‑tagging program that gives residents direct feedback—physical tags and digital notices—about contamination. The coordinator also flagged contamination as a primary barrier to effective recycling and said the city will provide clearer guidance on what belongs in bins. Councilors and residents thanked Forteo and encouraged continued events and library partnerships to boost public understanding and compliance.