Policy

The library practices extensive recycling for a large number of materials and objects. Here is the Multnomah County Office of Sustainability's recycling information page.  See links below for more specific information.

Rationale

In order to keep recyclable materials out of the trash and meet the County guidelines of recovering at least 75% of our waste, the library provides on-site and system-wide recycling.

Application

Plastics

Standard co-mingle plastics go in the regular recycle bins.

• Beverage bottles, buckets and tubs (up to 5 gallons), yogurt cups, disinfectant wipes containers, etc. NO LIDS.

Library Materials: #5 Polypropylene (PP), #6 Polystyrene (PS), and CD/DVD discs must be separated for recycling.

• #5 Polypropylene includes most media cases, flexible DVD inserts, and many large tubs or tote bins. Multi-disc clamshell cases must have metal 2-ring spine removed. Other clean materials labeled with #5 recycling symbol may be included. Please send these full large blue recycle bags/crates to ISM C/O Supply Clerk, or just set them out with your delivery. The empty bags will be returned quickly, please collect items in an alternate manner until they return.
• #6 Polystyrene includes CD jewel cases, rigid DVD inserts, receipt spools, and cassette tape cases. Please send these full large blue recycle bags/crates to ISM C/O Supply Clerk, or just set them out with your delivery. The empty bags will be returned quickly, please collect items in an alternate manner until they return.
• CDs and DVDs - Send to mail stop 635/OPS/RECYCLING or put in a labeled bag and include with #5 or #6 recycling crates.
• Broken crates -  Mark as broken and send to OPS Operations Center for repair or recycling. 

WE CANNOT RECYCLE THE FOLLOWING PLASTICS

• Library cards
• Acrylic (brochure and sign holders).
• Film or bags (plastic bags from newspapers, grocery bags, shrink wrap or other film wrapping).
• Vinyl of any kind (older multi-disc media cases, CD/DVD sleeves).
• Ambiguous or unknown plastics. When in doubt, ask first!

Paper

• Refer to one-side-clean reuse guidelines for Print Shop pads or recycle.  Any paper with patron identifying information should be shredded. Cardboard should be added to mixed recycling and large boxes should be flattened.

Food scraps (includes coffee grounds, tea bags, fruit and vegetable cores and peels, flowers, eggshells, all food scraps not including meat and dairy) can be composted onsite at some locations (Central, Hillsdale). More composting information.

Glass

• Use collection containers in break room or recycle off-site (depends on each location's recycling contract).

Metal 

• Place cans, broken shelving, rinsed aluminum foil, etc. in mixed recycling bins (bag "smalls", e.g. bottle caps, separately).
   
• Disposing of sharp knives, machetes, etc found on library premises
   
  1. Report findings to library security and/or the police non-emergency number as appropriate.  Contact Lib-Facilities to assist with proper disposal.
      
  2. From Metro:  I recommend taking them to a metal recycler as they can usually recycle those items for free.  Please make sure to contact the metal recycler in advance as they often have specific instructions when bringing in sharp metal items.  Also, we don’t recommend adding sharp items to curbside garbage/recycling bins as they can be hazardous to the employees dealing with the waste.

Batteries

• Tape both ends and send via interoffice mail to the OPS Operations Center (mail stop 635/OPS/Supply Clerk) or check with supervisor for localized collection point.  Recycle rechargeable batteries separately; send to the OPS Operations Center (mail stop 635/OPS/Supply Clerk). One gallon battery collection buckets are available from Multnomah County Office of Sustainability.

Furniture

• Send used, unneeded supplies, furniture, etc. to OPS Operations Center for reuse by other branches. You must attach an OPS surplus routing form.

Electronics recycling

• Some locations have a collection point on-site, but most do not.  Check with IT for your location's guidelines.  The Multnomah County Office of Sustainability has e-waste buckets (click to order one) available that are picked up through interoffice mail. If you have e-waste please set it out for pick-up by the delivery drivers with a surplus routing slip stating that it is e-waste addressed to 635/OPS/Supply Clerk. If it is large please arrange pickup by emailing the drivers and logistics team. Contact sustainability@multco.us for more information.
• Info on recycling headphones is here. If you are questioning if it is an electronic item or not, it is if it uses batteries, has a cord, or can be charged with one.

Appliances

• to recycle appliances, contact your property manager.

Toner

• Please send via interoffice mail (or check with supervisor for localized collection point) to 635/OPS/Supply Clerk. Please p​ack in the bag from the replacement cartridge. Also, please p​ack with the Styrofoam in the box (if there is any, this is polystyrene​ and it will be recycled as well)​.
• Try to avoid all contact with toner. If it spills please wear gloves while cleaning it up (it is a known carcinogen).

Cell phones

• Many service providers accept cell phones for recycling. 

Follow the electronics guidelines for Multnomah County phones.

Headphones

• Headphones: Loaning, disposal and free earbuds

Microfilm/Microfiche

• Try Hallmark Refining Corporation). If you have a few hundred lbs, they may be worth contacting.