Hermiston plans 2026 launch for curbside recyling program – Oregon Public Broadcasting – OPB

Report on Curbside Recycling Program Implementation in Hermiston, Oregon

Introduction and Program Overview

The city of Hermiston, Oregon, is preparing to launch a mandatory curbside recycling program, a significant step towards enhancing municipal waste management and aligning with global sustainability targets. This initiative is a direct response to state-level environmental legislation. The program’s implementation is being managed by the city’s solid waste franchisee, Sanitary Disposal Inc.

Key Program Components

• Service Provider: Sanitary Disposal Inc.
• Collection Schedule: Bi-weekly pickup for recyclables.
• Resident Provisions: Each household will receive a 95-gallon recycling cart.
• Accepted Materials: Metal, cardboard, paper, and plastic.
• Proposed Fee Structure: A monthly fee of $8 per customer, pending City Council approval, which will only be levied upon service commencement.

Legislative Mandate and Implementation Challenges

The program is mandated by Oregon’s 2021 Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act. This legislation aims to standardize recycling practices and requires all cities with a population exceeding 4,000 to provide curbside recycling services. However, the rollout has faced several obstacles.

1. Logistical and Financial Uncertainty: A report by the assistant city manager highlighted a “bumpy rollout” characterized by supply-chain uncertainties and financial questions affecting municipal compliance.
2. Revised Timelines: The original state deadline of July 2025 was extended due to the complexities of implementing a new, statewide system.
3. Legal Disputes: The overarching state law is the subject of a federal lawsuit filed by the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, which alleges the law is unconstitutional.
4. Operational Delays: The program’s launch date in Hermiston remains undetermined, pending the acquisition of necessary equipment and staff by Sanitary Disposal Inc.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Hermiston curbside recycling program directly contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting a local commitment to a global sustainability framework.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By establishing a formal recycling system, the city is actively working towards Target 11.6, which aims to reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities through improved municipal waste management.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: This initiative is a practical application of Target 12.5, which calls for a substantial reduction in waste generation through recycling. The program creates the necessary infrastructure for residents to participate in a circular economy.
• SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land): Effective management and recycling of plastics and other materials prevent them from polluting and damaging marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The program’s implementation demonstrates a multi-stakeholder partnership between the municipal government, a private sector franchisee, and state-level policymakers, underscoring the collaborative effort required to achieve sustainability objectives.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   This goal is directly addressed as the article focuses on the city of Hermiston, “Eastern Oregon’s largest city,” implementing a municipal service to improve waste management. The introduction of a “curbside recycling program” is a fundamental action for creating more sustainable urban environments by managing waste effectively.

2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   The core theme of the article is recycling, which is a key component of sustainable consumption and production. The program is a response to the “Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act,” a law aimed at standardizing recycling and establishing packaging fees, directly influencing production patterns and promoting a circular economy by reducing waste.

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   The article highlights collaboration between different entities to achieve the goal. This includes the partnership between the public sector (the city of Hermiston) and the private sector (“Sanitary Disposal Inc., the city’s solid waste franchisee”). It also involves multiple levels of government, as the city’s action is mandated by a state law, demonstrating a public-public partnership.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse environmental impact of cities

   Explanation: The target aims to “reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.” The article’s entire focus is on the city of Hermiston establishing a formal system for municipal waste management through its new curbside recycling program. This initiative is a direct attempt to manage waste more sustainably and reduce the city’s environmental footprint.

2. Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation

   Explanation: This target is to “by 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.” The implementation of a curbside recycling program for “metal, cardboard, paper and plastic” is a direct measure to increase recycling rates. This diverts a significant amount of waste from landfills, thereby contributing to the substantial reduction of overall waste generation.

3. Target 17.17: Encourage effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships

   Explanation: This target encourages and promotes effective partnerships. The article describes a clear public-private partnership where the City of Hermiston is working with “Sanitary Disposal Inc.” to implement the program. The article notes the city is “waiting on Sanitary Disposal Inc. to acquire the equipment and staff needed to run the program,” which exemplifies the operational nature of this collaboration to achieve a shared sustainability goal.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 11.6 (Implied): Proportion of municipal solid waste collected and managed in controlled facilities.

  Explanation: While not explicitly stating “Indicator 11.6.1,” the article implies its measurement. The program’s success will be measured by the amount of recyclable materials collected in the provided “95-gallon cart” and processed by Sanitary Disposal Inc. This directly relates to tracking the proportion of waste that is properly managed through recycling facilities rather than sent to landfills.

• Indicator for Target 12.5 (Implied): National recycling rate, tons of material recycled.

  Explanation: The article implies Indicator 12.5.1 by detailing the specifics of the recycling program. Progress can be measured by the volume and weight of the specific materials collected—”metal, cardboard, paper and plastic.” The total tonnage of these materials recycled by the city of Hermiston would be a direct contribution to Oregon’s state and, consequently, the national recycling rate.

• Indicator for Target 17.17 (Mentioned): The existence and operationalization of the partnership.

  Explanation: The article provides qualitative evidence of a partnership. The agreement between the Hermiston City Council and Sanitary Disposal Inc. to establish fees, acquire equipment, and roll out the service is a direct indicator of a functioning public-private partnership. The article states the city “is waiting on Sanitary Disposal Inc. to acquire the equipment and staff needed,” which serves as a measure of the partnership’s progress toward implementation.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: opb.org