Some materials are difficult for regular recycling facilities to sort. It’s for that reason that items like shredded paper, plastic lids, plastic bags and other stretchy plastics are not allowed in home recycling bins. For example, plastic bags can jam recycling facility machines, shredded paper can be too small for machines to sort and lids and package handles are flat like paper, confusing sorting equipment.
Now, however, there is a way to recycle those materials with six new RecycleOn locations around Portland where they can be dropped off at no charge. These locations, others throughout the state and more in the works, will provide over 140 sites to help people in Oregon recycle correctly by the end of 2027.
SE Portland’s Frog & Toad Hauling at 2711 SE Milwaukie Ave. (just south of the railroad tracks on SE 11th Ave.) has RecycleOn collection containers. They accept dropoffs of materials by appointment for donation and recycling and are open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 9 am-5 pm.
Shredded paper should be placed in a paper bag, not a plastic bag. Then roll or staple the top of the bag shut before dropping it off. Wet or moldy shredded paper cannot be accepted.
Plastic bags and stretchy plastics include grocery bags, produce bags, bread bags, bubble wrap, air pillows and the stretchy plastic wrapped around toilet paper or paper towel packs. If it stretches when you press your finger into it, RecycleOn centers can recycle it. If it tears, crinkles or feels shiny and foil-lined (like candy wrappers and chip bags), it is considered a mixed material and cannot be accepted.
Clean, dry snap-on tub lids and screw-on caps marked #2, #4 or #5 are accepted at RecycleOn Centers. Clear #1 PET lids are not. Tub lids that are allowed come from items like yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, hummus, salsa, guacamole, butter and margarine.
Hard plastic handles (also known as rigid HDPE handles) are most commonly seen on six-packs and four-packs of beverage cans. They snap onto the top of the cans and hold them together. They may also be used to hold two-packs or multipacks of water, or large containers of salsa, sauce, etc., purchased from club stores. Stretchy six-pack rings are made of an entirely different material and cannot be accepted.
Community members with disabilities who are unable to transport these items to a RecycleOn Center can request a free pick up. Businesses with large volumes of materials can contact RecycleOn Oregon staff to arrange for alternative collections. Visit bit.ly/4hW7Vg4 for details on accessing both options.