Location: Historic Kenton Firehouse, 8105 N Brandon Ave, Portland, OR 97217

DRAFT Agenda

9:30-10:00          Introductions and ground rules

10:00-10:45        Waste Equity Workplan Background/Overview

10:45-11:45        City Advisory Bodies and Public Meeting law

11:45-noon         Wrap Up

Portland residents living in single-family homes and smallplexes (1-4 units) will see a reduction in garbage and recycling rates beginning Feb. 1, 2020. The rate for the 35-gallon garbage roll cart—the most popular service level—will decrease by 40 cents per month.  The new rates will be in effect through the end of June 2020.

In December, Portland City Council decided that residential garbage and recycling collection will not be subject to the Clean Energy Surcharge, a charge intended for large retailers.  The new garbage and recycling rates have been set to reimburse customers for the amount they have already paid toward the surcharge. Most customers have paid about $1.20 towards the surcharge since July 1, 2019. 

View detailed rate information.

Questions? Send an email to wasteinfo@portlandoregon.gov or call 503-823-7202.

Take a few minutes to learn what can and can’t go in your recycling bin:

1. Ignore recycling symbols on items. These symbols do not mean you can recycle the item in Portland.
2. Check the recycling guide. Be sure to follow Portland’s guide, since recycling can be very different in other places.
3. If you’re not sure, put it in the trash. It may feel wrong, but you’re protecting the environment by keeping trash out of your recycling bin.

Some things are better in the trash

These items can jam the recycling sorting machines or are too difficult to make into new products:

• Plastic bags
• Plastic lids
• Take-out containers
• Envelopes with bubble wrap

Caution: Don’t put these in your bins

• Batteries and things with batteries in them — like tools, watches, toys and “singing” cards — can start fires or explode in trash or recycling, so they should be dropped off for safe disposal.
• Electronics like old laptops, computers and TVs must be dropped off for safe disposal (it’s state law).

There are lots of drop-off locations — find one near you www.oregonmetro.gov/findarecycler.

Not sure? Send a pic!

Next time you aren’t sure about an item, send a photo to @recycleornot on Instagram. Or visit RecycleOrNot.org to see some of the most confusing items and find out where they belong. It’s new and made just for Portland-area residents. Para español, visite ReciclarONo.org o envíe una foto del artículo que usted quiere reciclar a @reciclarono en Instagram.

Play the game

Recycle or Not is also a game. Swipe right, swipe left in both English and Spanish.

Did you know that our bureau’s primary role is to oversee the administrative rules and rate process for Portland’s residential and commercial garbage and recycling companies? We have built good relationships with Portland’s nearly 30 franchised residential and permitted commercial garbage and recycling companies to administer rules that protect both the customer and the service provider. The following list highlights our achievements over the last decade related to the industry that the experts call “materials management.”

1. Food scraps composting added to residential curbside collection in 2011.
2. Plastic bag ban began in 2011.
3. Housing deconstruction policy started in 2016 and has been updated for 2020.
4. Clean Fleet on the Road for garbage and recycling trucks was improved in 2016.
5. Business food scraps regional requirement passed in 2018.
6. Single-use plastics reduction policy passed in 2019.
7. The Master Recycler program graduated 870 people over the last decade; those graduates volunteered almost 41,000 hours and connected with over 4 million community members around the region.
8. The 34th Fix-It Fair season is taking place in 2019-2020.

New year, new goals

Looking ahead to 2020, our solid waste and recycling team will work to advance these priorities:

1. Emphasize recycling improvements at multifamily homes and communities.
2. Implement business food scraps separation requirement for the largest businesses in the region.
3. Work with DEQ and statewide stakeholders to modernize Oregon’s recycling system.
4. Coordinate installation of truck side guards on garbage and recycling trucks for pedestrian and cyclist safety.

 

What businesses need to know

Plastic single-use checkout bags cannot be provided by retailers, grocery stores or restaurants. This includes any plastic checkout bag that is less than 4 mil, even if labeled ‘compostable,’ ‘biodegradable,’ or ‘made from plants.’

Paper checkout bags may be provided by retailers and grocery for a 5-cent (or more) fee per bag (food vendors, including restaurants, fast food and food carts, do not have to charge for paper bags). Paper bags must be made with at least 40% post-consumer recycled fiber.

Reusable bags may be provided for a 5-cent (or more) fee per bag. Reusable bags include thick plastic (4 mil or more) or fabric bags.

Exceptions

WIC voucher or electronic benefits transfer card: Retail stores, grocery stores, and restaurants may provide recycled paper checkout bags or reusable plastic checkout bags for free to customers who have a Women, Infants and Children (WIC) voucher or electronic benefits transfer card.

Bags provided to customers at a time other than checkout, which includes:

• Bags designed to hold bulk items such as small hardware or for sanitary or privacy purposes.
• Certain specialty bags, such as garment bags.
• Bags sold in a package for uses such as food storage, garbage or pet waste.

Reusable bag promotions: Stores may provide free reusable bags as a promotion, but for no more than 12 days per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why ban plastic bags?

Lightweight plastic bags frequently wrap around sorting machinery at recycling facilities, causing the equipment to jam. The machinery then must be manually cleared, accounting for almost a third of labor costs at the facilities and increased risk of staff injuries.

Because they are extremely lightweight, plastic bags can act like balloons blowing out of garbage cans, trucks and landfills. These flyaway bags litter our open spaces, enter storm drains, and can eventually end up in rivers and oceans.  They break down into small, toxic pieces that are consumed by wildlife and aquatic animals.

What about “compostable” plastics?

There is no exception for plastic items labeled “compostable,” “biodegradable” or “made from plants.” These items cannot be composted in Portland (read why). Additionally, they can have negative environmental impacts equal to or greater than conventional plastics [1] and are unlikely to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean [2].

What about small checkout bags?

Any bag provided at checkout is subject to the checkout bag policy requirements, regardless of size. This includes bags provided to customers at checkout for things like a bottle of wine or liquor, notecards, or other small items.

What about events and farmers markets?

This policy does not apply to events, fairs or farmers markets.

How can customers avoid the fee?

Customers can avoid the fee by bringing their own bag or refusing a bag when they make a purchase that is easy to carry without a bag.

Where does the fee go?

Businesses keep the fee, which allows them to recover costs in providing paper and reusable bags.

Do businesses need to keep track of fees collected?

For grocery stores, yes, there is a reporting requirement mandated by the State of Oregon that involves collecting data related to (a) collection of the bag fee and (b) customers’ use of paper, fabric, and reusable plastic bags.  Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is charged with overseeing this report to the State, which is due in September 2024. The City of Portland doesn’t currently have any detail on this other than what is described in State policy and DEQ’s fact sheet.

What happens to businesses that don’t comply?

If a complaint is made to the City of Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability that a business is not complying with this policy, the City will investigate. The first time a business is found out of compliance they will receive a written warning. For subsequent violations, the following penalties apply:

• $100 for the first violation after the written warning in a calendar year.
• $200 for the second violation in the same calendar year.
• $500 for any subsequent violation within the same calendar year.

No more than one penalty shall be imposed on any single location within a 7-day period.

How do I report an out-of-compliance business?

Contact the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability at wasteinfo@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-7202.

Find more information

Find policy details from the City of Portland and State of Oregon at:

• State of Oregon Single-Use Bag Ban (January 1, 2020)
• Portland City Code Chapter 17.103 Single-Use Plastic Checkout Bags 
• Portland 2012 Plastic Bag Ordinance (updated in December 2019 to comply with State policy)

Related information:

• Learn about the City of Portland’s by request-only policy for single-use plastic straws, utensils and condiments.
• Need to recycle plastic bags? They should never go your home or work mixed recycling bin, but you can find many convenient drop-off options around Portland.

References

1. Packaging Material Attributes, Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality
2. Biodegradable Plastics and Marine Litter. Misconceptions, concerns and impacts on marine environments, United Nations Environment Programme

Snow or Ice

In case of bad weather, your pick-up may be delayed. Leave bins at the curb. Your garbage company will come as soon as they can.

Holiday trees

After the holidays, remove all tree decorations before setting out for pick-up.

You have two options for disposing of your holiday tree:

1. Set out your whole tree (6-feet or shorter) for a $5 charge.
2. Or cut your tree into pieces (3-feet or shorter), and place in your compost bin for no extra charge (make sure the lid closes). 

Note: Artificial trees and trees “flocked” with fake snow should be treated as garbage. Call your garbage company to see if there is a charge for pick-up.

Extra trash

Set out extra bags or cans (32 gal and 55 lbs max) for $5 each.

For large, bulky items that don’t fit into your garbage bin (like furniture or mattresses), call your garbage company for a cost estimate (prices vary). If the item is still in good condition, consider donating! Call 503-234-3000 to find out donation organizations, drop-off locations and pick-up options.

Renters

If you rent a house or apartment, ask your property manager before setting out whole trees, extra garbage or bulky items.

Learn more

Read the full Winter 2019 Curbsider for more recycling tips and news.

Holiday delays: Expect a one-day delay in garbage, recycling and compost pick-up after Christmas (December 25) and New Year’s Day (January 1).

Demoras por días feriados: espere una demora de un día en la recogida de basura, reciclables y residuos de materia orgánica después de la Navidad (25 de diciembre) y el fin de año (1 de enero).

节日垃圾收取时间延迟：垃圾、资源回收物品及堆肥收服务取将於圣诞节（12 月 25 日）及元旦（1 月 1 日）顺延一天。

Hoãn dịch vụ dịp nghỉ lễ: Xe gom rác, đồ tái chế và vật liệu tự phân hủy sẽ đến chậm một ngày sau Giáng Sinh (25 Tháng Mười Hai) và Ngày Đầu Năm Mới (1 Tháng Một).

Задержки в праздничные дни: однодневные задержки сбора мусора, утиля и компоста ожидаются после Рождества (25 декабря) и на Новый Год (1 января).

Dib u dhacyada Fasaxa: Filo dib u dhac hal maalin ah oo ku yimaada qaadista qashinka, dib u warshadaynta iyo bacriminta kadib maalinta Kiris-maska (Diseembar 25) iyo Maalinta Sanadka Cusub (Janaayo 1).

休日期間の繰延：クリスマス（12月25日）と元旦（1月1日）の後の一般ゴミ、資源ゴミ、堆肥ゴミの回収は1日繰延されます。

التأخير بسبب العطلات: من المتوقع حدوث تأخير لمدة يوم واحد نظرًا لأعمال جمع القمامة وإعادة تدويرها وجمعها لأغراض صنع الأسمدة بعد أعياد الميلاد (25 ديسمبر) ويوم رأس السنة الميلادية (1 يناير).

Întârzieri din cauza sărbătorilor: Anticipați întârziere de o zi la colectarea gunoiului, reciclării și compostului după Crăciun (25 Decembrie ) și  Ziua de anul nou  (1 Ianuarie ).

Затримка послуг через святкові дні: очікуйте одноденну затримку з вивезенням баків для побутового сміття, переробки сміття та компосту після Різдва (25 грудня) та Нового року (1 січня).

ຄວາມ​ລ່າ​ຊ້າ​ເນື່ອງ​ຈາກວັນ​ພັກ: ຄາດ​ວ່າ​ຈະ​ມີ​ຄວາມ​ລ່າ​ຊ້າໃນ​ກາ​ນ​ເກັບ​ຂີ້​ເຫຍື້ອທົ່ວ​ໄປ, ຂີ້​ເຫຍື້ອ​ລີ​ໄຊ​ເຄິ​ລ ແລະ​ຂີ້​ເຫຍື້ອ​ຍ່ອຍ​ສະ​ຫຼາຍ​ໄດ້ ໜຶ່ງ​ວັນຫຼັງ​ວັນ​ຄ​ຣິ​ສ​ມາດ (25 ທັນ​ວາ) ແລະ​ວັນ​ປີໃໝ່ (1 ມົກ​ຣາ).

Weather delays: In case of snow or ice, leave your bins at the curb.

Demoras debido al tiempo: En caso de nieve o helada, deje sus tachos de basura en la banqueta.

天候因素垃圾收取时间延迟：如遇下雪或路面结冰状况，请将垃圾推车留在路边石上适当的位置。

Hoãn dịch vụ do thời tiết: Trong trường hợp có tuyết hay băng giá, hãy để các thùng rác của quý vị bên lề đường.

Задержки, связанные с погодными условиями: в случае снегопада или обледенения оставляйте свои контейнеры на обочине.

Dib u dhacyada cimilada: haddii ay dhacaan baraf ama qaboow, ku dhaaf jaqafyadaada qashinka goobtooda.

天候による繰延：降雪または結氷の場合は、容器を縁石沿いに残しておいてください。

التأخير بسبب الأحوال الجوية: يُرجى في حالة سقوط الثلج أو الجليد وضع الحاويات على حافة الرصيف.

Întârzieri din cauza vremii: În caz de zăpadă sau ghiață, lăsați pubelele la bordură.

Затримка послуг через погодні умови: у випадку снігу або ожеледиці, залиште баки біля тротуару.

ຄວາມ​ລ່າ​ຊ້າ​ເນື່ອງ​ຈາກ​ສະ​ພາບ​ອາ​ກາດ: ໃນ​ກໍ​ລະ​ນີ​​ມີຫິ​ມະ​ຕົກ ຫຼື ມີ​ນ້ຳ​ກ້ອນ, ຈົ່ງ​ປະ​ຖັງ​ຂີ້​ເຫຍື້ອຂອງ​ທ່ານ​ໄວ້ບ່ອນຂອບ​ຖະ​ໜົນ.

Nov. 6, 2019

Contact: Tim Becker
Timothy.Becker@portlandoregon.gov

In 2016, Portland became the first city in North America to require deconstruction for its oldest and most historic houses when proposed for removal. Portland’s deconstruction ordinance prioritizes material salvage and reuse over landfill, provides economic opportunity and workforce development, and facilitates the safe removal of hazardous materials.

New ordinance increases number of deconstructed houses

Today, Portland City Council heard a Bureau of Planning and Sustainability proposal to expand the current deconstruction ordinance from houses built before 1917 to houses built before 1941. This proposed year-built threshold would increase the number of annually deconstructed houses from one third to two thirds of all house demolitions.

Mayor Ted Wheeler introduced the proposal and highlighted how Portland is disrupting the business-as-usual approach to removing houses by mechanical demolition.

“We believe in a circular economy, where we move away from the linear model of using something once, throwing it out, and having it go to the landfill, and instead finding ways to creatively reuse materials,” he said.

Testimony focuses on benefits of proposed ordinance

Commissioners heard testimony on the benefits of expanding the ordinance from deconstruction companies, salvage retailers, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, United Neighbors for Reform (UNR) and Restore Oregon. Commissioner Amanda Fritz thanked UNR and other neighborhood associations for their efforts and support for this policy and stated that, “The [ordinance is now the] standard for the nation. And instead of two deconstruction companies, there are 12 companies doing this work.”

Dave Bennink from the Building Deconstruction Institute talked about his role in training contractors and workforce development. He noted that other cities are looking to Portland for guidance on deconstruction as well as the exponential benefits from other cities replicating Portland’s deconstruction model.

Watch the hearing

Since the deconstruction ordinance went into effect three years ago, more than 200 houses have been deconstructed. From those projects, more than 2.4 million pounds of material was salvaged for reuse. That salvaged material – as well as avoided disposal and production impacts – translate to significant carbon benefits when compared to mechanical demolition.

Next steps

Council overwhelmingly supported the expansion and will vote on the proposal next week.

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The Waste Equity Advisory Group will provide oversight and accountability during the implementation of the Waste Equity Workplan, drawing on the knowledge and expertise of members to ensure that the projects and programs meet established goals.

About this Opportunity

The Waste Equity Advisory Group will develop a vision, goals, and performance measures to track progress on the implementation of BPS’s Waste Equity Workplan. Advisory Group activities include:

• Visioning and Goal-Setting: The Advisory Group will help to craft a vision of an equitable, diverse, and inclusive waste collection system for Portland and, working with BPS staff and consultants, develop performance measures and set goals to track progress in achieving that vision.
• Accountability and Transparency: The Advisory Group will review and evaluate progress on the Waste Equity Workplan annually, provide feedback on the prioritization of work in future phases, and recommend updates as needed to BPS program staff. Advisory Group members may be asked to accompany BPS staff to report on Workplan progress to Portland City Council.
• Program and Project Development: The Advisory Group will advise BPS program staff on the implementation of Waste Equity Workplan projects and activities to ensure alignment with Workplan goals.

Advisory Group members will serve an initial one-year term and will meet approximately 16 hours over the course of the year. This is an unpaid volunteer opportunity. 

For more information and to apply, visit the recruitment page on the Office of Civic Life’s website at: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/civic/article/744737. Applications are due no later than 11 p.m. on November 17, 2019.

For details about another opportunity to engage in BPS’s Waste Equity Workplan implementation, read about Kapwa Consulting, LLC’s recruitment for Waste Equity Consultants.

About the Waste Equity Workplan

The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability manages garbage and recycling collection in Portland. In August 2017, City Council directed BPS to focus on increasing participation of women and minority workers and reducing barriers to economic opportunities for minority-owned and women-owned companies in Portland’s waste collection system. During its most recent residential garbage and recycling franchise review, BPS engaged with stakeholders to develop a Waste Equity Workplan that identifies the work BPS will undertake to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion in Portland’s garbage and recycling programs. 

BPS has contracted with Kapwa Consulting, LLC to provide consulting and assistance on the implementation of the Waste Equity Workplan. Kapwa Consulting, LLC is seeking three individuals to serve as Waste Equity Consultants, to work on this project as sub-contractors to the City of Portland through a contract with Kapwa Consulting, LLC.

Waste Equity Consultants will:

• Participate in Waste Equity Workplan working groups to provide needed expertise and perspective rooted in an understanding of racial and social inequities in Portland as they relate to contracting and the City of Portland’s garbage and recycling programs.
• Collaborate with other working group members (City staff, consultants, and external partners) to develop options, proposals, and implementation strategies for actions in the Waste Equity Workplan.
• Attend meetings of the Waste Equity Advisory Group, which provides oversight and accountability for the implementation of the Waste Equity Workplan and reviews and recommends updates to the Workplan annually.

For more information about this opportunity and application instructions, see the RFQ from Kapwa Consulting, LLC: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/745561. Applications are due no later than 11 p.m. on November 17, 2019.

What is the difference between the Waste Equity Consultants and Waste Equity Advisory Body opportunity?

The two opportunities are separate, but related. We are looking for similar qualifications in applicants for both opportunities, including a commitment to advancing equity.

The main differences are role and time commitment:

• Advisory Group members are unpaid volunteers with an oversight and accountability role and will meet for approximately 16 hours over the course of the year.
• Waste Equity Consultants are paid and have a more time-intensive role working alongside City staff to develop implementation strategies, up to eight hours per month over the course of the year. 

Since paid Waste Equity Consultant positions are limited, we encourage people who are interested in getting engaged in this work to consider applying for both opportunities.

To apply to serve on the Waste Equity Advisory Group, fill out the online application at: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/civic/article/744737.