By Paul Ploumis (ScrapMonster Author)

December 16, 2015 01:25:59 AM

PORTLAND (Scrap Monster): The ‘2014 Oregon Material Recovery and Waste Generation Rates Report’ released this week shows that Oregon’s overall recovery rate declined to 47.3% in 2014. The metals recovery for the year dropped almost 11% during the year. The report, based on detailed annual surveys and disposal rates, was published by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ).

Oregonians recovered 2,305,661tons, or 47.3%, of the municipal post-consumer waste generated in Oregon in 2014. This was a decrease from the 49.5% recovery rate reported for 2013. Including recovery credits, the recovery rate totaled 51% in 2014, surpassing Oregon’s goal of 50% recovery rate for the fourth consecutive year.

The major categories if materials recovered along with their % by weight of all materials recovered are as follows:- Yard debris(22%), Metal(20%), Cardboard(16%), Wood waste(15%), Paper (12%), Glass(5%), Plastics(3%), Food waste (2%), Electronics (1%) and Others (5%).

According to the report, nearly 61% of recovered material in 2014 was recycled while 24% was composted and 15% was burned for energy recovery. Metals recovery rate dropped by almost 11%. It must be noted that the metals recovery rate had dropped by 6% in 2013. Paper fiber recovery rate has dropped marginally by 0.7%. Glass recovery rates remained essentially flat with an increase of 17 tons in recovered tonnage. Food waste recovery rates dropped by 8%. On the other hand, plastics recovery rate has increased by almost 10%. Overall organics recovery rate has declined by 3% in 2014.

Incidentally, Oregon has set a diversion goal of 52% for 2020 and a even higher goal of 55% for 2025.