Recycling

Recycling is widely recognized and we support it! We dedicate about 2.5% of our annual budget to recycling education. Between the years 1992 and 2009, we estimate we have spent around $1,800,000 on recycling education and promotion. Because of this financial commitment:

In the year 1992 there were 12,858 Tons diverted which is a 15% diversion rate
In the year 2009 there were 75,365 Tons diverted which is a 45% diversion rate

Total tons diverted over the 18 year span equals 723,981. This is the equivalent of 6.3 years of landfill life at our current disposal rate. We encourage you to recycle. See below for recyclable items and locations where you can recycle in Deschutes County.

UPCOMING RECYCLING EVENTS: Visit the Solid Waste Calendar for upcoming events that offer you free recycling opportunities of items that may be fee based throughout the year (i.e., Fire Free event and Christmas Tree recycling event).

What Can You Recycle and Where?

Commingled Materials
These items are FREE to recycle and can be mixed together in your commingle bin or dropped off at any disposal site.

Aluminum/Tin: Clean cans and foil. No need to flatten. No jar lids, dirty or rusty cans, paint or aerosol cans.
Magazines, Catalogs, Newspaper and: Anything that comes in the newspaper can be recycled.
Mixed Paper: Junk mail, paper, envelopes, white and colored paper, computer paper, wrapping paper (no foil or ribbon), tissue wrapping paper, shredded paper (strips only, no cross cut or confetti).
Paper bags
Paperboard: Cereal, cracker, shoe boxes, soda and beer cartons, paper egg cartons, paper towel tubes.
Plastic Bottles/Tubs: 6 oz or larger (i.e. yogurt containers, butter tubs, sour cream, cottage cheese containers). Nursery plant pots 4" or larger, plastic buckets 5 gallons or less, milk jugs-not flattened.

Other Recyclable Items
These items are FREE to recycle and are accepted at all disposal sites.

Auto Batteries: No cracked or leaking batteries.
BBQ's: Tanks recycled separately.
Corrugated Cardboard: Flatten. No slick or wax-coated.
Electronics: Monitors, CPUs, TVs, keyboards, mice and printers
Glass Bottles and Jars: Clean, remove lids. No ceramics, Pyrex, mirrors, baking dishes, or window glass.
Lawnmower: All fluids must be removed.
Motor Oil: Put into a non-breakable container with a tight-fitting lid. No antifreeze, gasoline, or solvents.
Paint & Stains: Visit the PaintCare website to find a drop off location near you
Propane Tanks
Scrap Metal: Almost all metal items.

Recycled for a Fee
For fee information for Knott Recycling center call Deschutes Recycling at (541) 388-1910. For fee information for all other Deschutes County Transfer Stations refer to Rates and Fees.

Antifreeze: Accepted at Knott Recycling Center. Accepted at the Hazardous Waste Facility for no fee
Appliances: Accepted at Knott Recycling Center, Negus, Northwest and Southwest Transfer Stations
Computer parts and components: Refer to Electronic Waste Recycling page
Microwaves: Accepted at Knott Recycling Center (included in garbage load at all other sites)
Sod: Accepted at Knott Recycling Center for recycling
Stumps: 12" in diameter and smaller are accepted at Knott Recycling, Negus, Northwest and Southwest Transfer Stations
Tires: Accepted at all sites
Wood waste: Accepted at Knott Recycling Center and Negus Transfer Station
Yard debris: Accepted at Knott Recycling Center, Negus, Northwest & Southwest Transfer Stations

Items that Cannot Be Recycled

Plastic bags
Film
Foam
Bottle and tub lids
Clamshell and bakery containers
Biodegradable plastics
Styrofoam
Frozen food boxes
Paper cups, plates, towels and napkins
Pet food bags
Paper ream wrappers
Waxed paper
Candy wrappers or snack food bags

Curbside/Drop Box Recycling Guides

Visit the Supporting Documents section below to obtain the curbside or drop box recycling guide for your service provider.

Cascade Disposal
Republic Services, formerly Bend Garbage & Recycling
Republic Services, formerly High Country Disposal - Redmond
Republic Services, formerly High Country Disposal - Sisters
Wilderness Garbage & Recycling - LaPine (drop box)

Hazardous Waste

See Upcoming Events for the next drop off date and time. Call the Solid Waste office (541) 317-3163 for more information. Businesses must pre-register with the hazardous waste contractor before disposal. Refer to Hazardous Waste Recycling page for details