Live music an added bonus for those wanting to learn more about Oregon’s new recycling program
By Steve Mitchell, Ashland.news
The Ashland Recycling Center will host an open house Saturday, July 12, at 220 Water St. for those interested in learning more about Oregon’s new recycling program.
The Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act, which went into effect July 1, will make it easier for people to recycle nursery pots, large plastic buckets and other scrap metals, according to Eric Ahnmark with Recology, the company that provides garbage and recycling services to residents in Ashland and Talent.
Ahnmark said the new recycling program represents a significant shift in the state’s recycling infrastructure in that it shifts the cost to recycle materials from individual ratepayers to the producers by requiring manufacturers to pick up some of the recycling costs.
Ahnmark said the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is an opportunity for the community to learn about newly accepted items at the Ashland facility and visit with other local environmental organizations, including the Ashland Climate Collaborative and Rogue to Go.
Ahnmark also said people can learn about the recycling center’s newest feature, a Goodwill donation trailer, which accepts “gently used” household items during regular hours at the recycling center.
The Goodwill donation trailer was rolled out this week, according to Ahnmark.
He said the Goodwill trailer would be a “permanent fixture” at the facility.
The event will also feature music and “light snacks,” Ahnmark said.
“This will be a great opportunity to celebrate the facility and talk about waste production, recycling, and other environmental issues,” Ahnmark said.
Email Ashland.news associate editor Steve Mitchell at stevem@ashland.news.
