BeavertonOregon.gov/Recycling
Articles
The following articles are available for you to include in your upcoming community newsletters:
In The Bag
The City of Beaverton has made recycling more convenient for its 10,000+ apartment residents through its “In the Bag” program. Since October 2004, the program has made durable, reusable recycling tote bags available to over 200 apartment communities throughout the City. The tote bag makes storing and transporting your recyclable material a very simple process.
All you need to do is find a convenient place to keep the tote in your apartment while you collect your recycling, such as a cabinet, cupboard or closet. You can place all recyclables in this tote including paper, plastics bottles and tubs, cans and scrap metal, cardboard and glass. Refer to your new magnet or the Recycling Made Easier "In The Bag!" booklet (PDF) for clarification on whether a material is recyclable or not.
Quick Tips
- Please rinse food and liquid containers before placing them in the tote.
- When the tote is full, simply carry the bag down to your complex’s recycling area.
- You can then place the items in the appropriate container:
- All glass in the designated glass cart;
- Everything else in the commingled recycling container.
To find the nearest recycling area at your complex, contact your property manager.
If you did not receive a complimentary recycling tote bag at the time of your check-in, you should contact your property manager and request one for your apartment.
You may also contact the City of Beaverton Solid Waste & Recycling Program to request a free bag: (503) 526-2665 or recyclingmail@ci.beaverton.or.us.
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Do Your Part and Make a Difference
We all need to do our part in keeping the earth a healthy place to live. Recycling as much of our material waste as possible is one way each of us can make a difference. The State of Oregon has set a goal of recycling 64% of the waste stream by the year 2009. The region is currently in the 55–57% range, so we’ll need to increase our recycling by several points over the next three years.
The primary way that you can help reduce waste is to reduce your consumption. Evaluate your shopping habits and consider the following suggestions:
- Avoid disposable items whenever possible.
- Take advantage of the bulk food sections available at several area grocery stores that allow you to purchase more food with less packaging.
- Choose products with minimal packaging.
- Shop for fresh produce at local farmer’s markets where you can place multiple purchases in your own tote bag.
- Buy recycled products such as toilet paper, napkins and office paper.
- Purchase biodegradable cornstarch packing peanuts instead of foam packing peanuts.
- Take your own thermos or mug to the coffee shop.
- Buy quality products and keep them for a lifetime.
Another way to reduce waste is to reuse products whenever possible. Have you gotten into the habit of “disposable living”? Consider making the following changes:
- Save grocery bags and take them back to the store for the next purchase. Some stores even give a small discount for the reuse of bags.
- Save packages from items you receive in the mail and reuse them you’re your next shipment with new labels and new shipping tape.
- Drop your extra packing peanuts off at a shipping store, especially during the holiday season.
- Purchase clothing that is of a simple, timeless style to avoid needing a whole new wardrobe every season.
- Shop at second-hand stores, especially when shopping for children’s clothing.
- Parents can get involved in a toy swap to reuse toys that other’s children have outgrown.
- Take children to city parks more often instead of purchasing a large play structure.
Our final choice in reducing waste is to recycle. Think about the following facts:
- Enough energy is saved to run a 100-watt light bulb for 3 hours by recycling one wine bottle.
- We would keep 200 million pounds of plastic out of landfills every year if we would recycle one out of every ten milk jugs.
- Three trees can be spared each year if just two people would recycle all of their junk mail.
- We save enough energy to run a TV set for three hours by recycling just one soda can.
- A twelve foot high wall could be built around the entire United States with all of the office paper Americans discard every year.
Good habits are infectious; your recycling efforts will be recognized by your neighbors and will encourage them to do their part as well. We can all increase the livability and beauty of Beaverton by taking an active role in reducing the waste stream.
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Don’t Contaminate Your Recycling
We have a few simple rules to follow when recycling to ensure that your material will be successfully recycled into new product.
- Rinse out all food and liquid containers. This ensures that bacteria do not flourish and that sugars do not gum up the processing machinery.
- Please place the materials directly into the recycling container. Do not place your recycled materials into a plastic bag. Plastic bags interfere with the operations of the processing equipment making it more difficult for your materials to be recycled.
- Do not mix glass in with the commingled materials. Glass must be recycled separately due to safety concerns for the hauler and the sorting crew. Glass also damages the sorting equipment. Please recycle the glass separately.
- Do not put questionable items in the commingled mix in the hopes that it can be recycled. Look at the list of materials that can be commingled on your magnet and, if you have any further questions, call (503) 526-2665 for clarification. A comprehensive list of materials not suitable for commingling may be found at the center of your Recycling Made Easier "In The Bag!" booklet (PDF)
- Some materials not suitable for commingling may still be recyclable though must be dropped off at a public depot recycling station. A list of these materials and the depot locations can be found at www.farwestfibers.com/public_depots. Materials accepted at these depots include athletic shoes, plastic plant pots, Styrofoam (for a small fee) and large plastic items like lawn chairs, laundry baskets and rinsed paint buckets.
If we all follow these few simple rules we can ensure that our recycling efforts are not wasted.
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Items that are Difficult to Recycle and Why
Some materials are difficult to recycle and need to be handled in a unique manner. These include:
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Block foam and foam peanuts:
This material cannot be commingled due to its propensity to breakup and contaminate other materials. This material does have a market value though and can be recycled for a small fee at Far West Fibers public depot (near Hwy 217 and Denny Road).
Electronics:
Many electronic components such as computers, monitors and stereos contain lead, heavy metals and other toxic materials. These items can be recycled in the following ways:
- Donation to a school or non-profit organization. Call the City Recycling Program for details (503) 526-2665.
- Return to manufacturer. Check the manufacturer’s website to see if this option is available to you.
- Recycling. Several local businesses disassemble and salvage computers including:
- Earth Protection Services at (503) 620-2466
- Far West Fibers at (503) 643-9944
- Quantum Resource Recovery at (503) 646-2427.
Collection events are also hosted by local businesses and the City’s Recycling Program throughout the year. Check the Recycling & Garbage Web site for event announcements.
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Microwaves:
This appliance is recyclable but cannot be commingled due to their size and glass content. Quantum Resource Recovery (near Hwy 217 and Denny) will accept microwaves for recycling at no cost.
Tires:
Due to their size and weight, tires need to be recycled separately and a small fee is required. You can call your garbage hauler to see if they will pick them up or you can take them to a transfer station or a landfill for recycling.
Batteries:
Used batteries may contain heavy metals and should be considered hazardous waste. They are recycled, however, through Metro and various retailers. Call Metro for more information at (503) 234-3000.
Fluorescent Light Bulbs:
Due to their mercury content, these bulbs are hazardous to dispose of as garbage. Fluorescent bulbs are dangerous to garbage haulers and should be recycled. Please call Metro for up-to-date recycling information at (503) 234-3000.
Sharps
Needles, lancets and syringes are considered hazardous waste and must be disposed of properly. These items are NOT recyclable and must be disposed of as medical waste, even those used for livestock and pets. Do not place sharps in the garbage. Please contact Metro for disposal information at (503) 234-3000.
Household Hazardous Waste (including paint):
Please contact Metro at (503) 234-3000 for proper disposal information.
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Moving Out
Moving out of you apartment can produce a lot of materials that can be reused or recycled. Please help reduce the waste stream by following these helpful hints during the moving process:
- Donate as much as possible to organizations such as Goodwill, the Salvation Army or a local church or community organization. Items accepted as donations include books, appliances, furniture, clothes, cars and even paint.
- Sell or donate books and clothes that are in good condition to used book stores and resale shops.
- Contact Metro’s transfer stations and/or Hazardous Waste facilities to dispose of items such as antifreeze, batteries, metal, paint, tires, plastic bags, wood, Christmas trees and excess garbage. Metro’s recycling information line is (503) 234-3000.
- Large plastic items such as broken patio chairs, laundry baskets, garbage bins and children’s swimming pools can be recycled at public recycling depots. Far West Fibers has several of these depots in the area. Their locations and hours of operation can be found at: www.farwestfibers.com/public_depots. The Solid Waste and Recycling Program at the City of Beaverton can provide you with additional recycling depot locations and other resources. Contact us at (503) 526-2665.
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Special Recycling Information for the Holidays
Residents in the Portland area dispose of 25% more garbage during the Holiday season and increase recycling volumes by a third. Here are a few helpful ideas to help you plan for a more enjoyable holiday season with less waste:
- Think about packaging before you buy. Purchase gifts with little or no packaging, or packaging that is recyclable.
- Give homemade gifts which are more personal, can be less expensive and don’t have wasteful packaging.
- Give gift made from recycled content materials.
- Give a gift of time, talent or an experience.
- Be creative with wrapping and containers:
- Put gifts in containers that can be reused or wrap in fabric, boxes paper and bows saved from last season.
- Buy recycled content gift wrap.
- Use plain brown craft paper or paper bags that you decorate yourself.
- Use colorful newsprint.
- When the holidays are over, reuse or recycle what is left.
- Save bows, containers, packing peanuts and wrapping paper for next year
- Turn this year’s holiday cards into next year’s gift tags.
- Recycle all leftover material that you can’t reuse.
- Donate usable items that are replaced by gifts that you receive including electronics, toys, household furnishings and clothing.
- Recycle your Christmas tree and any wreaths or swags. These items can be ground up into compost.
- Haulers all have an annual curbside collection day and there are numerous drop-off sites or pick up services throughout the community. Call Metro at (503) 234-3000.
- Remember to remove all ornaments, lights and tinsel from the tree.
- Remove the frame from the wreath and all decorations.
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Recycling Glass
Pound for pound, glass is one of the most efficient materials to recycle. When a glass bottle is properly recycled, a significant portion of the glass is actually reused many times.
While it is very important to recycle glass, we must remember to do it properly so we don’t waste our efforts or cause safety hazards for haulers or workers at the recycling center.
Glass must be separate from the other materials when picked up by the hauler. Glass cannot be commingled. When you bring your red tote full of recyclables to your apartment’s collection area, please place all glass items in the glass cart before placing your commingled materials in the recycling container.
Why?
When glass mixes with other recycling, it often breaks. The broken glass damages processing equipment, creates risk to haulers and sorting crews and makes all of the materials un-recyclable. If you leave glass in the commingled mix, it actually does more harm than good in the overall recycling process. Please remember the following:
- Glass goes directly into the glass bin. Do not include paper or plastic bags.
- Only recycle glass bottles and jars.
- Please rinse your glass clean of all food residue.
- All colors (green, brown, clear, etc.) can be mixed together.
- No need to remove labels from glass bottles and jars.
- Do not include lids or corks.
- Do not include window glass, drinking glasses, light bulbs, etc.
Thank you for following these guidelines to ensure that your recycling efforts are worthwhile.
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Plastic Recycling
You asked for it. You got it!
In response to popular demand and improved plastic recycling markets, we now accept more plastic than ever for recycling. As of March 1, 2006, Beaverton haulers started collecting additional plastic items for recycling.
All of the following plastic items may now be recycled at you apartment complex: Rigid plastic bottles and tubs with #1 through #7 clearly marked on container bottom, including:
- Plastic bottles
- Yogurt tubs
- Margarine tubs
- Cottage cheese tubs
- Lids from tubs
All you need to do is rinse the bottles, tubs and lids to remove all food and drink residue. All of these items can be placed in your red recycling tote, taken to your apartment complex’s recycling area and dumped directly into the commingled recycling container. Please remember:
- Do not include any plastic bags in your recycling material, including plastic trash bin liners, plastic grocery bags or plastic newspaper delivery bags.
- These bags greatly interfere with the sorting equipment at the recycling center.
- You can collect all of these bags separately and take them to your local grocery store for recycling—the bags cannot be recycled residentially in Beaverton.
- The Beaverton Recycling Center (at Hwy 217 and Denney Road) also receives plastic bags for recycling, as long as they are separated from other materials and clean.
- Other items prohibited from inclusion in commingled recycling include:
- Plastic films or bubble wrap
- Take-out food containers or food trays (clear plastic or foam)
- Toys
- Garden hoses
- Block foam, Styrofoam, polystyrene or foam peanuts
Thank you for following these simple guidelines to ensure that your efforts at recycling are worthwhile.
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