Hermiston moves toward curbside recycling program
By Terry Murry on Thursday, November 6th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
HERMISTON — (News release from the city of Hermiston) The Hermiston City Council will consider adopting a new fee schedule to implement state-mandated curbside recycling service during its regular meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 10. The proposal would extend Hermiston’s existing solid waste program, administered by Sanitary Disposal Inc., to add biweekly recycling collection for residential customers.
The addition of curbside recycling is required under the Recycling Modernization Act, passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2021, applying to all Oregon communities with populations greater than 4,000. The program was originally expected to launch in July 2025, but the statewide rollout has experienced delays due to the complexity of implementing a first of its kind system. Funding for the program is designed to come primarily from businesses that manufacture and sell recyclable materials in Oregon, such as producers of packaged food, beverages, and other goods. However, the operational costs of collection will require local fees for recycling system users.
Under the proposed schedule, Hermiston residents will receive a 95-gallon recycling cart for $8 per month. The cart will be serviced every other week and can be filled with co-mingled recyclable materials such as plastics, metals, cardboard, and paper, as defined by the State of Oregon’s recycling guidelines (https://recycleon.org/oregon/).
Residents will be required to maintain both garbage and a recycling service. Those who reduce the size of their garbage cart may be able to offset the additional recycling service fee and lower their overall monthly cost.
If the City Council approves the new fee schedule, it will take effect immediately, but customers will not be billed until curbside recycling collection begins. The launch of service will depend on the arrival of new equipment and the hiring of staff by Sanitary Disposal Inc., with an anticipated start in 2026.
For additional background on the proposal, the full staff report, or to watch the council meeting, visit the City of Hermiston’s website.
Photo of recycling truck provided by Sanitary Disposal, Inc.
