Council tentatively approves ordinance to license supplemental recycling services; Ridwell supports framework

The City Council held a public hearing on Ordinance 2956, which would amend Lake Oswego City Code Chapter 20 to create an annual Additional Recycling Collection Services License permitting private companies to collect difficult‑to‑recycle household materials (for example plastic film, clamshells, light bulbs and textiles) not covered by the city's exclusive curbside franchise.

Amanda Watson, the city sustainability program manager, summarized the ordinance framework: an annual $500 application fee, an online application requiring a list of materials for city approval, insurance and reporting requirements (biannual reports on amounts collected, processing destinations and customer counts) and civil enforcement provisions. Watson said staff worked with stakeholders including Ridwell and Republic Services to craft the draft.

Taylor Lowen, regional operations director for Ridwell, testified in support and said Ridwell had applied for a Lake Oswego business license before service began and had been told the business license was put on hold pending resolution of licensing discussions; Lowen offered to remit back business license fees for the period the application was held once the license program was established.

Councilors asked questions about the materials lists and whether reporting could be shared publicly; staff said the list of materials would be reviewed for conformity with state law and franchise exclusions and that a public summary could likely be provided subject to legal review. Watson said Republic Services raised no formal objections and staff had collaborated with them in drafting the license.

Councillor Corrigan moved to tentatively approve Ordinance 2956 and direct staff to return with a final version on March 18, 2025; Councillor Mbeau seconded. The council voted 7‑0 in favor.

Next steps: staff will return with a final ordinance on March 18, 2025; applicants would apply annually under the license and submit biannual reporting per the ordinance.