Good News for Baker City: Curbside Recycling Has Arrived 

Recycling service in Baker City has taken a big step forward. In April, Baker City launched a new curbside recycling service, giving residents an easier way to recycle right from home.

On April 9, recycling carts began rolling out across the city. Recycling is now collected every other week on the same day as trash service, making it simple to add recycling. About 3,500 households within the city limits are included in this new service, provided by Baker Sanitary.  

This expansion also lays the groundwork for greater access to recycling across the region. Rural areas of Baker County, including Haines and parts of Baker Valley, are expected to begin curbside recycling service starting in June, with additional service possible over time. 

Baker City’s new curbside program is supported through Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act, which requires producers of packaging and paper to help fund improvements to local recycling systems. Through this program, Circular Action Alliance Oregon (CAA) provided over $1.1 million to Baker Sanitary for 5,000+ new recycling carts and two new recycling trucks. 

What goes in the recycling cart?  

• Plastic bottles, tubs, jugs and rigid plant pots. Caps OK if screwed on. All items must be 2 inches by 2 inches or larger 
• Aluminum and steel cans, and scrap metal less than 10 pounds and smaller than 18 inches. 
• Flattened cardboard, packaging boxes and food and beverage cartons. No food residue or frozen food boxes. 
• Paper items like newspaper, magazines, mail and paper bags. No paper towels or napkins. 

Items must be empty, dry and placed loose in the cart — no bagged recyclables. Glass is not accepted curbside and should be taken to appropriate drop-off locations. 

In addition to curbside collection, residents can use a new RecycleOn Center located at Baker Sanitary’s recycling center. The site accepts items that don’t belong in curbside carts, providing another convenient recycling option.  

Visit RecycleOn.org/OregonCenters to learn more about what the Center accepts and find glass drop-off depot locations.  

Drop these items off at a RecycleOn Center  

• Plastic bags and other stretchy plastics, like the wrapping around toilet paper
• Plastic lids from items such as yogurt, salsa and other containers. 
• Plastic screw-on caps from items like chicken broth, soy milk and other containers. 
• Plastic package handles, such as six-pack drink carriers  
• Plastic buckets and pails 
• Already shredded paper that is placed in a paper bag that is stapled or rolled shut 
• Aluminum foil and trays that are empty and dry 
• Glass bottles and jars that are empty and dry 

With new equipment, expanded service and clearer recycling options, Baker City residents now have more ways to recycle right where they live.