Find statistics about waste that is recycled and landfilled from the metro region.
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Recycling and waste reduction program reports
Planning and conservation › Managing garbage and recycling › Recycling and waste reduction reports
Learn more about the issues facing waste reduction in the region with these studies and proposals.
Home composting is working in the region
Metro surveys show that home composting activity in the region continues to increase.
Feasibility of additional plastics in curbside recycling
Moore Recycling investigated the feasibility of adding additional plastic collection to the metro area curbside programs.
Effectiveness of recycling processors sorting curbside recyclables
Resource Recycling magazine examines the ability of six Materials Recovery Facilities to sort household commingled recyclables.
Paper recycling box 2003 outreach campaign
Between June and December 2003, Metro and local governments conducted an outreach campaign to businesses for free desk-side paper recycling boxes.
Contingency Plan Work Group Final report and recommendations
Final report and recommendations from the RSWMP Contingency Plan Work Group that was convened in August 2003 to evaluate and recommend strategies to increase progress toward the 62 percent recovery goal.
Mandatory recycling and disposal bans and commercial paper recycling
This study examines the impact that mandatory recycling laws and disposal bans would have on recycling of paper collected from businesses.
Market opportunities for additional tonnage of scrap paper from businesses
Andover International conducted a supply-demand study to determine if Pacific Northwest paper mills and the export market could absorb an additional 80,000 tons of scrap paper per year generated from businesses.
Assessment of e-waste collection and processing issues
This study provides an initial understanding of the feasibility of expanding collection of electronic waste in the metro area.
Commingled commercial recyclables processing study
The Solid Waste and Recycling department has completed a study on the processing of mixed commercial recyclables.
Required recycling and incentive program survey
This report profiles 15 communities with required recycling or incentive programs targeting materials in the commercial and construction and demolition waste streams.
Commingled residential recycling pilot projects
Local governments and Metro evaluated collection efficiency, processing effectiveness and material quality produced of commingled residential recycling sorts.
Enhancing regional dry waste recovery
This report details a recommended change to that system that could divert at least 33,000 tons of this material from disposal each year.
2008 curbside recycling campaign and study
Metro's curbside recycling education campaign targeted problem materials mixed in with commingled curbside recyclables using leave behind flyers to educate and reinforce proper recycling preparation.
Metro region waste generation
What are we throwing away? This report characterizes volume and type of waste generated in the region in 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2005.
Environmental value of Metro region recycling in 2007
Analysis of the environmental impact of regional waste reduction programs using MEBCalc (Measuring Environmental Benefits Calculator) .