Oregon Recycling System Optimization Plan
Client
Circular Action Alliance
Industry
Brands, Manufacturers, & Retailers
Non-Profits
Our Role
Guiding Oregon’s EPR program implementation and collaboration.
The Challenge
Oregon needed a groundbreaking EPR plan to modernize recycling, requiring comprehensive stakeholder engagement.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) faced the critical task of implementing the nation’s first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for packaging and paper products. This initiative required developing a comprehensive program plan that addressed stakeholder concerns, met state regulations, and ensured efficient collaboration between producer responsibility organizations (PROs), local governments, and service providers. The challenge involved gathering accurate data from 238 jurisdictions or their service providers, many of which were small and understaffed, all within a tight timeline. The goal was to provide a comprehensive inventory of expenses that Circular Action Alliance (CAA) would need to cover for the expansion of recycling services across Oregon, ensuring the program’s success and maintaining the state’s leadership in sustainable practices. The main goals and considerations were:
Recycling Infrastructure Inventory: Evaluate Oregon’s current recycling systems to identify gaps and opportunities for enhancement.
Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with local governments, service providers, and industry associations to ensure collaboration in implementing the EPR program.
Program Plan Schedule: Create a detailed, data-driven investment schedule that aligns with Oregon’s regulatory requirements and supports statewide recycling service expansion.
Funding and Resource Allocation: Develop strategies for efficient distribution of funds and resources to support the growth and modernization of Oregon’s recycling infrastructure.
"Our mission was to empower CAA to lead Oregon’s recycling transformation, ensuring a sustainable future through actionable, data-driven solutions."
-Joel Schoening , RRS Project manager
Strategic Approach
Our data-driven methodology ensured a comprehensive and actionable plan for Oregon's EPR program implementation.
The CAA engaged RRS to develop a detailed inventory of expenses, prioritize investments, and recommend administrative processes for the expansion of recycling services across the state. This involved gathering extensive data from local jurisdictions and service providers, conducting interviews, and analyzing the results to align with agency criteria for eligible costs and priorities.
Data Collection: Built and distributed a comprehensive questionnaire to 236 jurisdictions, later expanded to approximately 400 total questionnaires, including service providers.
Verification & Analysis: Conducted interviews in all 35 Oregon wastesheds to verify and supplement the questionnaire data, focusing on qualitative insights and aligning with state criteria.
Data Compilation & Prioritization: Analyzed collected data to create tools for prioritizing and inventorying expenses necessary for the expansion of recycling services, ensuring compliance with the RMA.
Program Design & Recommendations: Used the verified data to design administrative processes and program recommendations that support effective and efficient recycling service expansion statewide.
Oregon’s groundbreaking EPR plan is one of the first in the U.S. to mandate producer-funded recycling improvements, with an estimated reduction of over 100,000 tons of packaging waste annually once fully implemented.
Outcomes
Achieving Oregon’s Recycling Vision Through Action
RRS structured a comprehensive project to develop Oregon's first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for packaging and paper products, supporting the state’s goal of modernizing its recycling system. This project aimed to provide Circular Action Alliance (CAA) with the tools and data necessary to lead Oregon's recycling transformation, ensuring a sustainable future through actionable strategies. The RRS team, in collaboration with local governments, service providers, and industry associations, delivered key insights and developed a scalable program design that lays the foundation for statewide recycling service expansion.
Phased Implementation Plan: Developed and executed a detailed plan to assess and prioritize recycling service needs across Oregon, gathering data from 238 jurisdictions and their service providers.
Quantitative & Qualitative Analysis: Conducted extensive data collection via surveys and interviews, building a robust analysis tool to identify eligible costs and prioritize investments.
Strategic Collaboration: Worked closely with CAA, local governments, and stakeholders to design administrative processes, cost modeling, and program structures tailored to Oregon’s unique recycling landscape.
As a result, the project provided CAA with a clear inventory of expenses and a prioritized action plan to expand recycling services statewide. The collaboration fostered by RRS empowered CAA to take a leadership role in Oregon’s recycling modernization, setting the stage for a more sustainable and efficient recycling system. This work not only supports Oregon’s ambitious recycling goals but also ensures that the state remains a national leader in environmental stewardship. The outcomes will guide future investments, enhance recycling service delivery, and contribute significantly to the reduction of waste and environmental impact across Oregon.
238
Jurisdictions Engaged
80%
Questionnaire Response Rate
The Team
A dedicated team from RRS collaborated closely with the CAA throughout the EPR program planning and implementation process.
This multidisciplinary team included Project Managers, Survey and Interview Methodology Experts, Data Analysis Experts, Outreach Specialists, and Customer Service/Tech Support. Additionally, the team developed a robust database to track the progress and outreach of all 236 jurisdictions and their service providers. Cost modeling specialists and program design experts were also integral to crafting a comprehensive and scalable statewide program. Each member brought specialized expertise to ensure the project’s success, from collecting and analyzing critical data to designing and recommending administrative processes. The team's combined efforts and in-depth knowledge of Oregon’s recycling landscape were essential in providing actionable insights and creating a program that supports the state’s ambitious recycling goals.
