Waste Reduction & Recycling Resources

BUSINESS RECYCLING AWARDS GROUP (BRAG)

If your business recycles, buys recycled products, and works on waste prevention, then this is an opportunity for you to BRAG about your success. BRAG is the Business Recycling Awards Group. If your business qualifies, it will be recognized in advertising, press releases, and newsletter articles. Apply for a BRAG award by contacting the City by e-mail or at 503.635.0290.  For more information visit the BRAG web site http://www.clackamas.us/transportation/recycling/preventioncom.jsp

BUSINESSES TAKE ACTION TO REDUCE WASTE

All businesses in the City of Lake Oswego have the opportunity to reduce waste by participating in recycling and waste prevention programs.

Recycling: Allied Waste Services and the City of Lake Oswego invite all businesses in their service area to participate in a recycling program. Allied Waste Services experienced staff will custom tailor a recycling program to fit the needs of individual businesses. Please contact Allied Waste Services at 503.636.3011 to learn more, or visit http://lakeoswego.disposal.com.

Waste Prevention: Many businesses are now focusing on waste prevention and buying recycled products as an essential part of their waste reduction program. Please visit Allied Waste Services at http://lakeoswego.disposal.com or www.clackamas.us/transportation/recycling for more information.

SAY NO TO JUNK MAIL

Tired of receiving unwanted mail? Not only can junk mail fill your mailbox and add to your household's clutter, it wastes our planet's resources. Follow the easy Say No To Junk Mail steps outlined by Metro to start on your path to a junk mail-free future.

RECYCLING FACTS 

What is the proper way to prepare recycling materials for collection?  Successful recycling begins with proper preparation.

• Aerosol Cans. Aerosol cans must be completely empty. Do not crush or flatten. Discard plastic lids. Leave nozzle buttons in place.  Place in recycling bin.
• Aluminum. Includes aluminum cans, containers, and foil. Remove all organic material, flatten, and place in recycling bin.
• Corrugated Cardboard Paper Bags. Flatten and limit the size of any single piece to 36 inches in any direction.
• Glass Bottles and Jars. Rinse out all organic material; separate whole bottles and jars by clear and colored glass; place in  paper bags or plastic buckets, separate from other recyclables. Place metal lids in your recycling bin.  Do not include drinking glasses, cookware, plate glass, safety glass, light bulbs, ceramics, mirrors, and non-glass materials.
• Magazines.  Includes magazine and catalogs.
• Motor Oil. Place motor oil in a clear leak-proof plastic container of not more than one gallon each, with a screw-on cap.
• Newspapers. Place in recycling bin.
• Plastic Bottles with neck smaller than the base and plastic tubs (6 oz. size and larger). Includes  milk jugs. Rinse out all organic material; discard lids, caps, and pumps; and place in recycling bin. Labels are O.K.  Do not include motor oil, pesticide, or other hazardous material bottles.  No plastic bags or plastic toys.
• Scrap Metal.  Remove all non-metal parts from the scrap metal and place in recycling bin. Maximum size is 30 inches in any direction and 40 pounds.
• Scrap Paper. Place in  paper bags for litter control. Include opened unwanted mail, office paper, paper egg cartons, cereal and cracker boxes, shoe boxes, labels from metal cans, and wrapping paper. Do not include foil, waxy or plastic coated paper, or food-contaminated paper.
• Steel (Tin) Cans. Remove labels, rinse out all organic material, flatten, and place in recycling bin.

What is the schedule for collection of recycling materials?

Allied Waste collects recycling materials weekly on the same day as your garbage service.

REDUCE HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE

What is household hazardous waste (HHW)?

Look for the following warning words on product labels: toxic, caution, corrosive, pesticide, combustible, poison, flammable, warning, or danger. HHW products include paint, thinners, solvents, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, poisons, automobile fluids, hobby chemicals, batteries (automotive and dry cell), and aerosol spray products. Never pour these products down the drain, discard them in the trash, pour them into a street drain, or mix them together. Learn more from Metro's Guide to hazardous waste.

How do I prepare HHW materials for disposal?

• Keep products in original containers. If the original labels are missing, label it yourself if you're sure of the contents.
• Don't mix products together.
• Seal products properly to prevent leaking. Secure leaking containers in secondary leak-proof containers.
• Pack containers in sturdy cardboard boxes. If possible, pack materials in the trunk of your vehicle or away from the driver, passengers, and pets. Packing containers cannot be returned. Please do not put items in plastic bags.

Where do I take household hazardous waste for proper disposal?

Bring unwanted hazardous household products such as pesticides, leftover paint, solvents and automotive fluids to one of Metro's hazardous waste facilities. Metro will recycle them or dispose of them safely. Hazardous waste is accepted at Metro South Station in Oregon City and Metro Central Station in NW Portland. For directions and hours of operation, visit Metro's web site.

TIPS FROM ALLIED WASTE SERVICES

Collection Tips

We have some helpful reminders on how to prepare materials for collection. Preparing materials properly will help keep neighborhoods cleaner.

Windy Days

• Bag loose and lightweight materials.
• Place lids on cans securely.
• Bundle and bag newspapers and scrap paper.
• Bundle cardboard.

Rainy Days

• Cover recyclables so the bags don't break when collected.
• Keep the lids on and secure so the cans don't fill with water and become overweight.

Snow & Ice

• Place your materials in a location that doesn't pose a safety hazard to the collectors.
• Collection may be delayed when conditions become severe, especially in areas of steep terrain.

Vacation Credits

We would like to remind our residential customers with summer vacation plans to please call ahead to receive credit for missed collections. Allied Waste Services customers may receive up to four vacation credits per year for periods of less than one month. Should you be out of town for over a month we can temporarily stop your account until you return.  Call Allied Waste Services at 503.636.3011 for more information.

Yard Debris

Yard debris goes in the green cart. During the spring and summer, our customers may require additional yard debris collection. We would like to remind everyone to be sure to clearly label yard debris in additional cans or carts as "Yard Debris Only". This will eliminate confusion with the collectors. Yard debris may also be placed in unmarked "Kraft" bags in bundles. For more information visit Allied Waste Services at http://lakeoswego.disposal.com

WASTE PREVENTION

What is waste prevention?

Waste prevention is reducing the amount of solid waste we make that would need to be recycled or put into the garbage. Waste prevention means using fewer materials to do the same job, buying and using products containing recycled materials, reusing materials before they get recycled or thrown away, and purchasing products that use less materials and energy.

Waste Prevention Ideas for Your Household.

• Buy in bulk or choose the larger size.
• Use cloth napkins, sponges, and dishcloths instead of the paper alternatives.
• Use cloth bags for shopping or reuse brown paper bags.
• Carry a reusable cup or mug.
• Buy quality durable goods, they last longer.
• Borrow, rent, or share items used infrequently, like ladders, carpet cleaners, and rototillers.
• Choose products and containers with recycled content. Items made of glass or aluminum have high percentages of recycled content.
• Take action to reduce unwanted mail. Follow the easy Say No To Junk Mail steps outlined by Metro to start on your path to a junk mail-free future.

WASTE REDUCTION

What are the three ways to reduce solid waste?

We reduce solid waste when we recycle used materials, use products made with recycled materials, or prevent the creation of waste materials.

What are the benefits of recycling and waste prevention?

Recycling and waste prevention reduces the demand for materials, reduces garbage disposal costs, reduces your total material cost because you buy less, conserves energy, saves natural resources, saves landfill space, and reduces pollution. Consider this:

• Every 100 gallons of recycled oil saves 65 gallons of new oil.
• Every glass bottle you recycle saves enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for 4 hours.
• Recycled tin is our only domestic source of tin. Tin must be recycled or imported.
• Recycling newspaper reduces the need for virgin forest resources. One run of the New York Times newspaper (2.1 million copies) consumes the equivalent of 80,000 trees.

WHO TO CALL FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Allied Waste Services :  Ask your hauler about garbage, yard debris, and recycling collection services, schedules, and rates. Visit the Allied Waste web site  at http://lakeoswego.disposal.com for waste prevention and recycling preparation flyers. You can contact Allied Waste Services at 503.636.3011

City of Lake Oswego:  Contact us by e-mail or call us at 503.635.0290. 

Clackamas County:  Contact the County's waste reduction and recycling specialists by e-mail wasteinfo@co.clackamas.or.us or call 503.557.6363.

Metro: Metro is a great resource for up-to-date information on recycling, waste prevention, and buying products with recycled content.  You can contact Metro Recycling Assistance at 503.234.3000, mri@oregonmetro.gov or visit Metro's web site at www.metro-region.org and click on "garbage and recycling". To find organizations that take materials not accepted in the curbside recycling program, visit the Find a Recycler web site.