The city of Portland will begin checking residents’ recycling carts to screen for items that shouldn’t be in the bins. If the city finds improper items, employees will leave a tag on the recycling cart correcting the mistake, according to a city news release.
The recycling-check program won’t collect personal information, take photos or come onto personal property, according to a spokesperson for the city’s garbage, recycling and compost team. The checks also won’t lead to any legal or financial penalties. “The purpose of cart checks is strictly operational — to keep the recycling system safe and functioning by identifying items that don’t belong and offering residents feedback about what isn’t allowed in recycling,” said spokesperson Julian Hanlon-Austin in an email.