By Angie Marzano
Lane County Waste Reduction Program Manager
 

As we written about in this newsletter before, it's important to celebrate "wins" when they happen. Fortunately, our state notched a string of climate wins this year—proof that hard work and practical policy can add up to real-world change.

First, the state began implementing SB 582, the Recycling Modernization Act. After years of planning, Oregon launched a packaging producer-funded system that expands access, upgrades local infrastructure, and  standardizes what can be recycled statewide. Key program elements began rolling out in July 2025, shifting costs away from residents and onto companies that put packaging on the market.

Lawmakers also moved to curb plastic pollution by closing Oregon’s “thick bag” loophole. SB 551, signed in 2025, phases out all plastic film checkout bags—even the heavier ones often labeled “reusable”—and will go into effect in 2027. It builds on the 2019 bag ban law and will cut litter and contamination while simplifying choices for shoppers and retailers.

Oregon also took an important step in climate literacy. HB 3365 passed in June 2025, directing updates to K-12 academic standards so students learn the causes, effects, and solutions to climate change—equipping the next generation to lead.

Additionally, the state signed SB 1596 into law. The law requires manufacturers of electronic devices and home appliances to provide consumers and independent repair shops with the necessary parts, tools, and documentation at a fair cost, enabling the repair of these products.

Oregon also became the fourth state to implement mattress recycling. The law establishes an industry-funded program that allows residents to drop off their soiled mattresses free of charge at Glenwood and select St. Vincent de Paul retail locations.

Another almost-win was HB 2062, the lithium battery producer responsibility bill, which Lane County spearheaded in partnership with Portland-Metro. The bill cleared committee but died in Ways & Means due to the timing around adjournment. The policy would require battery makers (producers) to finance convenient take-back and safe recycling, which is vital for preventing fires and recovering critical minerals. Expect this one back in the 2026 Short Session.

Closer to home, Lane County Waste Management translated policy into on-the-ground progress through four awarded grants totaling nearly $2.6 million that strengthen local resilience and reduce emissions: a U.S. Department of Energy award—about $1.9 million—to expand consumer battery collection and processing; a USDA $400,000 grant to launch free community compost distribution countywide; FEMA funding ($190,000) to install backup generators at Glenwood and Florence transfer stations, essential to providing services during outages; and an Oregon DEQ grant ($78,000) to support and grow our Sustainable Event Services program, which provides durable dishware at large-scale events. Together, these investments make our system safer, cleaner, and more climate-ready.

We also partnered with NextStep Recycling to offer free drop-off of unused, broken, unwanted, or obsolete electronics at schools during the annual Electronics Recycling Competition. This year, 48 schools across Lane County participated, recovering 41,491 pounds of electronic waste that will be recycled and/or repaired.

Lane County brought household item repair events to Cottage Grove, Florence, and Oakridge through “Fix-It-Booths,” which offer a consistent location for residents to fix, mend, and repair a variety of consumer products. The booths ran over several months during the summer and early fall.

Our team also worked with internal Lane County divisions to establish employee "green teams" at our 10 largest facilities, aiming to improve operational sustainability and advance our climate goals for Lane County.

From smarter recycling to plastic reduction, climate education, and resilient local infrastructure, Oregon is showing how policy and hard work can deliver practical, measurable climate progress—right here in Lane County.

Local climate wins help me sleep better at night and know that the work we’re doing makes a difference.

Waste Wise Lane County, a part of the Lane County Waste Management Division, empowers residents, schools and businesses with education and resources to reduce waste and live sustainably. Follow Waste Wise Lane County on Facebook and Instagram @WasteWiseLaneCounty.