Lane County Waste Management is hosting a plastics roundup for clean #2, #4 and #5 (polyethylene and polypropylene) at the Glenwood Transfer Station in April, and offering early access to businesses, churches, individuals and neighborhood groups who sign up as ”community collectors.”
In an effort to limit carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, Lane County is seeking community collectors to gather plastics from employees, neighbors and friends. Registered community collectors can begin collecting materials in January and February, then will be able to make an appointment to drop off plastics in March and April. Lane County will provide registered community collectors with signage, collection sacks, promotion (if desired), training and instructions on correct material preparation. To register as a community collector, visit https://lanecounty.wufoo.com/forms/community-collector-sign-up/ or call 541-682-6536.
Our partner, plastics processor Denton Plastics, accepts #2, #4 and #5 tubs, jugs, bottles, lids and 6-pack handles that are CLEAN and free of debris (labels removed). Materials must be sorted in the following material categories: #2 bottles and jugs; #2 tubs and lids; #2 6-pack handles; #4 bottles, tubs and lids; #5 bottles, tubs and lids. Depending on what materials you collect, this could represent up to five separate categories.
Residents who are not able to find a community collector are encouraged to come to the Plastics Roundup on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at the Glenwood Transfer Station from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Unsorted, dirty or incorrect plastic materials will not be accepted.
Last September, Lane County staff and Master Recycler volunteers teamed up with Denton Plastics, a Portland processor, to collect 2.76 tons of plastic delivered by 963 customer vehicles. This event was in response to the growing needs of Lane County residents who want a solution for plastics recycling during the disruption to international recycling markets.
Lane County has the highest recycling rate in Oregon – and it’s thanks to dedicated community members. Recycling has many benefits and one of the biggest is the environmental benefit of reducing the amount of raw materials and energy needed to make products from scratch. The resin from recycled plastics is used to make products such as park benches and decking, flower pots, electronic component parts and much more.
Additional information and a new waste reduction newsletter can be found at lanecounty.org/plasticsroundup. Residents can also email questions to [email protected]. For information about what is recyclable in Lane County, ask the Garbage Guru.
