Clackamas County Newsletter for Multifamily Property Managers 
Spring/Summer 2020
Your quarterly guide to successful recycling & waste reduction
from Clackamas County's Sustainability & Solid Waste Program
In this edition:
  • COVID-19 Impacts to Multifamily Garbage & Recycling
  • Free Household Hazardous Waste Disposal for Residents
  • Deposit Bottle Redemption in the Time of Coronavirus
  • Play the Recycle or Not Game
  • Video Link: Plastic Wars
Multifamily Recycling in the Time of COVID-19
A lot has changed since our last edition, but a lot remains the same, too: We all still generate garbage and recycling. This edition provides hints, tips, and reminders about disposal during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While we aren't currently doing field work, we are sharing electronic resources and supporting multifamily communities remotely. As Clackamas County begins to reopen, we are considering ways to safely resume deliveries of physical resources. To request free waste reduction and recycling resources or assistance, contact us today or use our online order form. 
Do you manage communities outside of Clackamas County? See our list of regional multifamily contacts throughout the tri-county area who are ready to help with your waste prevention, reuse, and recycling efforts.
COVID-19 Impacts to Multifamily Garbage and Recycling 
In a time of many unknowns, social distancing, and residents at home more than usual, we want to share some garbage and recycling messaging:
  • Keep recycling...correctly. Recyclers need material, especially cardboard boxes. Flatten cardboard before recycling.
  • Bag all trash securely to ensure gloves, masks, and wipes stay contained.
  • The virus can live on surfaces for varied amounts of time, depending on the material.
  • Bins that are outside are exposed to ultraviolet light (even on cloudy, gray days), which helps kill the virus.
  • Simply touching a trash/recycle bin that has the virus on it does not transmit it to another person. The person would then have to introduce the virus into their body – by putting their hand (that touched the bin) into their eye/nose/mouth.
  • The important message is to wash hands (for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer) after touching the trash/recycle bin, just as with any other public surface. 
  • To protect drivers' health, garbage companies are limiting the number of people in a truck. This may impact the collection of bulky waste (mattresses, furniture, etc.). Multifamily property managers can request a temporary container or drop box to collect large items from residents, or store items until bulky waste collection resumes.
For more information:
FREE Household Hazardous Waste Disposal for Residents
Due to COVID-19, Metro has waived the $5 fee for disposing of Household Hazardous Waste at Metro South through August 2020. 
Households are limited to 35 gallons per day of household hazardous waste materials that can temporarily be disposed of for free at Metro South's Household Hazardous Waste Facility located at 2001 Washington St. in Oregon City (across from Home Depot). Common items include:
  • Automotive fluids
  • Batteries
  • Fluorescent and LED light bulbs
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Household cleaners and aerosols
  • Pesticides and insecticides
  • Sharps
  • Unwanted/expired medications
Have questions? Contact us or call Metro's Recycling Information Hotline at 503.234.3000.
Deposit Bottle Redemption in the Time of Coronavirus
As grocers continue to face additional operational challenges due to COVID-19, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission has ceased enforcing the redeption requirement that vendors accept redeemable bottles and cans. The temporary halt in enforcement, which expires no later than two weeks after a county enters Phase 1 of reopening, allows grocers the option to not accept redemption containers during this time. However, BottleDrop redemption centers and BottleDrop Express drop sites will continue to operate.
To find locations near you, use Bottle Drop's Location Finder or see the current informational flyer with redemption center locations.
Play the Recycle Or Not Game!
Need a break from stressful adulting? Maybe you need something fun and educational for your fifth grader? How about a little healthy family competition - kids vs adults? 
One of the best things we can do to help our recycling system is to recycle right. Test your knowledge with the Recycle or Not game.
Play Recycle or Not
Here are some additional resources to help you study up ahead of time or review later:
Frontline: Plastic Wars

Questions? Have a suggestion?
Email us
Order materials
Download our Recycle Guide
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Clackamas County Sustainability & Solid Waste
503.557.6363 I www.clackamas.us/recycling

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