Find out with WasteWise
Even for someone in the waste management industry, knowing whether an item can or should be reused, recycled or thrown away can be maddeningly frustrating. Why? The recycling industry is wildly inconsistent with no uniform rules from state to state, county to county, or city to city.
In other words, a recyclable material in Bend may not be in Florence. On a related note: the Oregon Recycling Modernization Act (RMA) will help address this issue starting in 2025, bringing exciting changes to our statewide recycling systems.
But what about the here and now before the RMA takes effect? One solution Lane County residents can turn to for recycling answers is the WasteWise Lane County App. This free application is available for download or online at the WasteWise Lane County Garbage & Recycling page at lanecountyor.gov/recycle.
Users type in their materials — everything from mattresses to plastic tubs to half-used paint — to discover the most sustainable ways to discard them. The app even allows users to make hazardous waste drop-off appointments and report illegal dumping.
For more information, visit lanecountyor.gov/wastewise-app.
Daniel Hiestand is the Lane County Waste Reduction Outreach Coordinator. He holds a Master of Sustainability Leadership from
Arizona State University.
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