Two Oregon laws you should know—and share
As a Master Recycler volunteer, you have a powerful role in helping your community reduce waste and embrace reuse. Two Oregon laws create great opportunities to start conversations with local businesses and neighbors about bringing reuse back into everyday life.
Bring Your Own (BYO) containers are allowed
Oregon law allows customers to bring their own clean, reusable containers to participating restaurants, cafés, food carts, grocery stores, and co-ops for takeout food, beverages, and leftovers.
BYO program benefits:
Reduce single‑use packaging and litter
Save businesses money
Give customers an easy way to act on their values
While this law is optional for businesses to participate in, public health guidelines make BYO safe and achievable, along with easy-to-use resources to help both businesses and customers understand how it works.
Two helpful webpages are available:
One for businesses interested in learning how to start a BYO program
One for customers who want to learn how to BYO properly and respectfully
Tools You Can Use at Events & Tabling (available from your local jurisdictional partners):
A tabling sign to spark conversation
A handout explaining BYO basics
An informational card customers can give to their favorite businesses to encourage BYO adoption
These tools make it easy to start positive, solution-focused conversations—whether you’re tabling at an event or chatting with friends or family.
Polystyrene Is Banned—Reuse Is a Solution
Polystyrene foam food and drink containers (often called Styrofoam™) are now banned in Oregon. This change opens the door for an important message.
If single-use foam is out, reusables can be in!
If a business is still using polystyrene foam containers, it’s a great moment to share the idea of BYO and reusable serviceware as a long-term, waste‑reducing alternative.
Your Voice Matters
Every conversation helps normalize reuse and encourages businesses to participate. By sharing these resources and modeling reusable habits, you help build community support for systems that reduce waste.
Spread the word, share the tools, and help make reuse part of everyday life.
Learn more at choose2reuse.org