Recycling in Corvallis

Avocados are notorious for being tricky to ripen correctly without spoiling. Here’s three tips to get them ripe the right way:

• Avocados ripen best on the counter.
• Avocados do best in the dark so keep them out of direct sunlight.
• Once they are ripe, you can keep them for a few days longer if you store them in the fridge.

The Corvallis Sustainability Coalition also provides some helpful information to reduce food waste, save money and conserve energy and resources involved in the growing, manufacturing, transportation and marketing of food.  Check out their website for more information:  No Food Left Behind

Recycling in Corvallis

Republic Services (541-754-0444) provides residential curbside collection of solid waste and recycling in Corvallis. Collection of your co-mingled recycling occurs the same day as you solid waste collection.

Commingled Recycling

Commingled recycling is collected weekly on the same day as your solid waste cart. Please review this guide to ensure that you are placing recyclable items in your commingled cart. Adding other items, including plastics and paper not listed, contaminates the recycling cart, preventing all of the commingled materials from being recycled.  For more information, check out Republic Services’ “Are You Recycling or Wish-Cycling?"

Yard Waste and Glass Recycling

In addition, Republic Services provides glass recycling and yard waste recycling to all customers in Corvallis.

Glass is collected separately, once a month, on your regular service day. Please note that not all glass is recyclable. Mirrors, window glass, canning jars, light bulbs, Pyrex and ceramics belong in your solid waste cart. Use the glass map (PDF) to determine your address’s zone color, with the schedule starting the first full week of the month.

Yard waste and mixed organics carts are collected weekly on the same day as your solid waste cart.

Be sure to place your carts curbside for collection no sooner than 24 hours prior to pick-up and remove them no later than 24 hours after collection. Removing waste carts promptly after collection not only makes the neighborhood safer for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, it also enhances the community’s appearance. Carts should be placed in the parking lane.  If there is not a parking lane in front of your home, place carts in the park strip (area between the sidewalk and curb) or on the driveway apron.  Never place carts in a bike lane.

Household Hazardous Waste

Hazardous household waste can be disposed of at quarterly household hazardous waste events. Republic Services also offers several other seasonal recycling events and programs, including fall leaf collection, holiday string light collection and holiday tree collection. Click here to view the calendar of events from Republic Services.

Leaf Collection

In addition to weekly yard waste pick up, Republic Services collects leaves in the fall. Leaves can only be placed in parking strips, the evening before your leaf collection day.  Leaves cannot block vehicle, bike or pedestrian travel lanes. The leave collection day may be different than your regular collection day. The leaf collection schedule is set in the fall, but generally runs late October to mid-December.  The City adjusts the street sweeping schedule during leaf season. More information can be found on the Corvallis Street Sweeping and Leaf Collection pages.

More Options for Recycling

Many items that don’t belong in your commingled cart don't have to go to the landfill. Check the following links for other recycling resources in our community.

• Republic Services Recycle Center - Accepts commingled recycling, cardboard, glass, electronics, ink cartridges, compact fluorescent bulbs and scrap metal.
• ReUse Directory - Information on donating many reusable items, from art supplies to clothing.
• Habitat for Humanity ReStore - Donation site for furniture, appliances and construction materials.
• Oregon E-Cycles - Options for electronics recycling
• Become a Master Recycler - Republic Services and OSU Recycling collaborate to provide Master Recycler services and classes. The class is free to Linn and Benton County residents who agree to 30 hours of volunteer service applying what they learn in the community.