In 2001, the Oregon Legislature established statewide waste generation goals that aim for zero increases in per capita waste generation after 2005, and in total waste generation after 2009.

As a result, in 2006, Portland City Council adopted a waste prevention goal to reduce per capita waste generation below 2005 levels by 2015. And in 2007, City Council voted to approve the Portland Recycles! Plan, effectively mandating the City to work with the community to help stop growth in the waste stream.

The Portland / Multnomah County Climate Action Plan, approved by City Council in 2009, further reinforces these waste reduction goals through the following 2030 Objectives:

• Reduce total solid waste generated by 25 percent.
• Motivate all Multnomah County residents and businesses to change their behavior in ways that reduce carbon emissions.

EPA carbon emissions calculations show that the production and use of materials for consumers account for one-third of global carbon emissions. Production and transportation of goods and food also require the extraction of natural resources, creating additional health and environmental problems.

Implementation

The Portland Recycles! Plan states that promoting behavior change and education is a key strategy for meeting citywide waste reduction and recycling goals. As part of the development of the waste reduction program, the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability conducted research in 2009 and 2012 to uncover barriers to long-term behavior change. The research demonstrated that many Portlanders understand the importance of taking actions to reduce their waste and stated that they wanted to participate in these activities, however, a large percentage of people did not know where to go or how to do it.

The Be Resourceful Program

The Be Resourceful program was developed to give Portlanders tools and ideas for reducing waste, specifically, how to take action and where to find resources, while encouraging residents to try simple changes in how they get what they need. The program:

• Connects residents with resources -- including community-based organizations, local businesses, government agencies, and each other -- to help them be successful in reducing waste.
• Offers resources specific to times of life transition that are often periods of greater waste, thus presenting more opportunities to take advantage of relevant community resources.

Community members are also invited to provide information about local resources including classes and workshops to learn new skills.

The program focuses on four main categories:

• Buy Smart: Plan ahead, check to see what you already have and make a list. Choose durable alternatives to disposable items. Consider gifts of experience instead of stuff.
• Reuse: Buy second hand, salvage and vintage. Repurpose something you already have to save money and avoid waste.
• Borrow and Share: Cut down on clutter by borrowing, sharing, swapping or renting items.
• Fix and Maintain: Extend the life of what you have with basic maintenance. When something breaks, repair it instead of replacing it.

These activities were identified as effective ways residents can get the things they need while saving money, avoiding waste, cutting clutter -- while simultaneously conserving natural resources and reducing carbon emissions. 

Portland may be infamous for its grey and rain, but when it’s nice out, it’s gorgeous. Get out in the clear air, whether it’s visiting one of the many parks, or by enjoying the constant bustle of activity the city affords.

Check out apps like Goby or websites like Portland on the Cheap for information and inspiration on local events and activities.

Explore urban wilderness with handy guides such as Wild in the City, by visiting one of the many gardens and parks the city has to offer, exploring a neighborhood event like the Mt Tabor Art Walk or by going a little further and having an island adventure in the city.

Go on foot

Metro offers a guide to 50 local treks in and around town. Explore a historic neighborhood in Portland or get away from the city at one of the many natural areas, all at a walking pace. Even seasoned residents will learn something new on a walking tour of Portland.

Go by bike

Portland bike maps not only offer the best routes, but also list data points such as heritage trees, historic landmarks, and viewpoints. Metro offers bike safety information, videos and resources in English and en español.

Want to combine transit with your walk or bike trip? Climate Action Now explains how to use TriMet’s multi-modal trip planner to do just that.

Go by river

Connect to and learn about the benefits of the Columbia and Willamette rivers. Take to the water and experience the city from a different vantage point. Kayaks, canoes and paddling gear, as well as trips, classes and kayak and canoe rentals are available. Consider renting equipment for that occasional outing or outdoor adventure like camping or mountaineering. Search online for a list of local outdoor stores that rent the gear you need for your adventure.

It's time to get outside and experience Portland! 

Have a favorite Portland outdoor resource? Share it with us!

The City does not endorse or assume responsibility for businesses, companies or organizations listed by the Be Resourceful program.

Spring brings neighborhood cleanup events that incorporate recycling and onsite reuse options, allowing neighbors to take, swap or buy items for reuse.

Background Information

"RESIDENTIAL” rules affect garbage, recycling and composting service delivery at any “residential” building, which is defined as a single ­family, duplex, triplex or fourplex residence. For “residential” service, the City uses a franchise system which assigns haulers to specific territories and the City sets the service options.

“Commercial” rules affect the standards and expectations for companies that provide commercial garbage, recycling and composting service.

Current Residential Administrative Rules

Current Commercial Administrative Rules

Proposed Changes to Residential Rules

The following are among the proposed changes:

• Inclusion of credit card as payment option for customer billing;
• Clarification of property owner responsibility for providing tenants with service;
• Requirement that hauler customer service staff are available to answer customer calls during business hours;
• Update cart weight limits;
• Require that all new service accounts start with a hauler-provided roll cart for garbage, not a customer-provided can;
• Establish a system for BPS to determine when the hauler can require an alternate set-out location on public roads due to safety concerns; and
• Add non-curbside collection of roll carts including recycling and composting for an additional fee.

For the complete draft including strikethrough of proposed changes see: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/441626

Proposed Changes to Commercial Rules

The following are among the proposed changes:

• Change reporting requirements to include number of commercial service sites for food scrap collection accounts;

For the complete draft including strikethrough of proposed changes see: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/article/442484

Public Hearing Scheduled

Tuesday June 4, 2013

4 p.m to 6 p.m

Commercial and Residential Administrative Rules Hearing

City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability

1900 SW 4^th Ave., Room 7A.

If you would like to suggest changes to the rules but do not plan to attend the hearing, please send your comments in writing.

In order to incorporate your comments into the discussion at the hearing, please send them  by 4 p.m. on Monday, June 3, 2013. All comments must be received no later than the end of the public hearing, unless the deadline is extended at the hearing. You may submit comments in the following ways:

Email: wasteinfo@portlandoregon.gov (Please note “Admin Rules Review” on the

subject line.) We will respond by email unless you request otherwise.

Fax: 503­-823-­4562 (Please note “Admin Rules Review” on the document.)

US mail or hand delivery:

Solid Waste and Recycling Rules Review

1900 SW 4th Ave., Suite 7100

Portland, OR  97201

Venue and officiant options

To minimize transportation impacts, choose a local wedding instead of a destination wedding and find event space where you can have the ceremony and reception in the same location.

Make your vows in an urban wilderness at one of Portland’s many parks.

Use the City of Portland’s Event Recycling containers and signage to recycle and compost everything you can.

From veil to train, the officiants at Portland Green Weddings and Wed Portland have you covered.

Wedding attire

Many bridal and formalwear stores sell like-new consignment dresses at substantial discounts. Search for “wedding consignment” or similar terms to find locations convenient for you.

Local vintage and thrift stores also carry unique dresses and accessories to help you create a one-of-a-kind look. Or find your perfect “recycled” dress online at Pre-owned Wedding Dresses.

For tuxedos and menswear, put on the (rented) ritz with Mr. Formal.

Food, flowers and décor

Plan an organic and locally grown menu for the wedding and the favors (that includes Oregon beer and wine!). Consider one of Portland’s many sustainably minded caterers. Provide a water station or water pitchers on dinner tables instead of bottled water.

Use simple, non-themed décor that can be reused for other occasions. Decorate with seasonal food that looks beautiful on the tables and on the plates.

Look for flowers that are seasonal, organic or local. Consider using live plants instead of cut flowers. For a growing give-away instead of bouquets, visit Portland Nursery or Pistils.

Rent cloth linens and napkins, plates, flatware and drinkware. Something Borrowed has a wide array of items available to rent to make your special day unique. Both Preserve and Serve and the Home Goods Library have durable dishes for everything from cake slices to attendees’ proud toasts.

Other green wedding planning tips

• Create a charity registry so guests can give donations in your honor in lieu of gifts.
• Set up a honeymoon registry and calculate and offset the carbon footprint of your wedding and travel.
• Use recycled paper for postcard-sized save-the-dates and all-in-one invitations. Invite guests to RSVP via email, phone or online, rather than including return RSVP cards.
• Be aware that signing up for mailing lists at bridal shows or retail stores will likely add you to distribution lists that will generate much paper mail waste.
• Encourage invitees to carpool to the location. Ask guests to RSVP whether they’re interested in carpooling, and have a friend coordinate logistics or set up a carpool to your event.
• Think of the environment and consider using flower petals or reusable streamers rather than confetti or balloons.
• Looking for the perfect gift for your wedding party? Our previous posts about celebrating with your Valentine and finding creative birthday gifts offer many resourceful ideas!

Have a favorite Portland wedding planning resource? Share it with us!

The City does not endorse or assume responsibility for businesses, companies or organizations listed by the Be Resourceful program.

• A sharpened pair of pruners, a shovel with a good clean edge, and a well-tuned grass push-mower can make gardening easier and more enjoyable.
• Sharpening4U and Al’s Lawnmower Sales and Service, and some nurseries, like Garden Fever, offer sharpening services.

Borrow tools you only need seasonally.

• Portland’s tool lending libraries are filled with garden tools large and small. Some also offer seed lending libraries! Find libraries in NE Portland, SE Portland, North Portland and the Lents neighborhood.

Get questions answered.

• Call or email your gardening questions to Master Gardeners for expert advice.

Plan your garden calendar.

• Use Portland Nursery’s handy vegetable planting and harvesting calendar.

Share the bounty – If you expect to have a wealth of edibles, consider donating fresh fruit and vegetables to a nearby food pantry. Or if you can’t use your own garden, share it with others!

• Plant a Row for the Hungry – this webpage, put together by the Oregon Food Bank, is filled with great local resources for vegetable gardening and fresh food donation. Or go right to finding a local food pantry here.
• Portland Fruit Tree Project – sign up to have volunteers pick the fruit and donate 50 percent of it to food pantries.
• Farm My Yard creates easy ways for homeowners to offer their yards to those who would like areas to farm and cultivate.

Have a favorite gardening resource? Share it online.

The City does not endorse or assume responsibility for businesses, companies or organizations listed by the Be Resourceful program.

Neither the City of Portland nor any City of Portland employees, officers or agents makes any warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility, for the businesses, organizations, products or processes identified or disclosed in the Be Resourceful program.

The City of Portland reserves the right to verify and approve shared resources. A resource may not be included immediately, however, it may be used in a variety of ways, including blog posts, web and map resources and how-to information that fits into the Be Resourceful program categories of buying smart, reusing, borrowing, renting and sharing, and fixing and maintaining. The resources are meant to show a representation of both small and large for-profit, nonprofit and grassroots organizations, companies and businesses across a wide geographic area of Portland.

By providing this community service, the City of Portland takes no responsibility for the quality of customer service provided by any companies, businesses or organizations identified in Be Resourceful.

There are a range of business services that allow consumers to look into business practices and background. We encourage consumers to protect themselves by using either some of the following resources, or similar forms of consumer protection:

• Better Business Bureau  
• Consumer Protection - Oregon Department of Justice
• Bureau of Consumer Protection - Federal Trade Commission

• African American Chamber of Commerce of Oregon
• East Portland Chamber of Commerce
• Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber
• Philippine American Chamber of Commerce
• Portland Business Alliance

Non-Discrimination

The City of Portland’s policy is to eliminate discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, marital status, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and source of income.

For a business or organization to be listed or otherwise participate in the Be Resourceful program, the organization or business must be open to, allow the participation of, and offer its products or services to all citizens or patrons, without regard to race/ethnicity/national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income, age or other protected class.

If the City is informed or otherwise becomes aware that a business, company or organization does not meet these criteria, then the City will act to remove the business, company or organization from the Be Resourceful listing.

The final Fix-It Fair of the season is on Saturday, February 23 from 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Ron Russell Middle School, 3955 SE 112th Ave.

Fix-It Fairs offer money-saving solutions and educational opportunities for you and your family, while emphasizing healthy, environmentally friendly homes.

Workshops are offered throughout the day, including a series in Spanish.

The Resource Guide features many Fix-It Fair partners that are part of the exhibit hall and that offer their expertise on a variety of topics throughout the day:

• Home and personal health
• Home repair and utility savings
• Sound money and safe home
• Yard and garden

Join Be Resourceful at this free event to learn about community resources for buying smart, reusing, sharing and fixing.

Share your favorite Portland community resource online or at the booth.

The City does not endorse or assume responsibility for businesses, companies or organizations listed by the Be Resourceful program. 

Start a new habit of bringing your reusable bag every time you shop.

You may already own reusable bags, but it can be a challenge to remember them when you head to the store or pharmacy. While it takes a little time to form a new habit, we offer these tips to help you to remember to bring your bags every time:

• Store bags near your house keys or near the door.
• Return bags to your car.
• Write a reminder on your grocery list.
• Keep a bag in your purse or coat pocket at all times. That way when you find yourself picking up a few items, you’ll be prepared with your own bag.

Find more tips and frequently asked questions here. 

Why is the City of Portland expanding the ban on plastic bags?

Plastic bags are extremely lightweight and can act like balloons blowing out of garbage trucks and landfills. These flyaway bags litter our parks and trees, enter storm drains and can eventually end up in rivers and oceans where they break into small, toxic pieces.  Plastics have found their way into all five of the world’s major ocean current systems and are one of the most common types of litter found in Portland’s rivers and on Oregon’s beaches. Sea animals often mistake plastic particles for food, causing harm to the animals and potentially affecting the seafood we eat.

Paper bags will still be available at the checkout. But paper bags still require natural resources to make. An even better option is to invest those natural resources in into something that can be used over and over again—like a reusable bag!

Why aren’t plastic bags recyclable in Portland’s blue roll carts?

Plastic bags create major problems at recycling facilities. They jam and shut down machinery, accounting for almost a third of labor costs. Plastic bags that get mixed with other recyclables also contaminate the end materials, lowering their quality and value. The impacts of plastic bags in our curbside recycling system means higher collection rates for Portlanders.

Where can I recycle plastic bags?

The Oregon DEQ estimates that Oregonians used approximately 100,000 tons of plastic film in 2009, and only a very small percentage of single-use plastic bags are actually recycled. Reusable bags are a simple way to reduce your need for single-use plastics–and they are easy to use.

But even if we use reusable bags for our groceries and errands, produce, newspaper, and other plastic bags are still a part of our everyday lives. When you do have plastic bags, we recommend recycling them in designated bins at most grocery stores or at one of Metro’s designated drop-off sites. Portlanders are great recyclers, but we need to take the next step by switching to reusable bags as part of our daily routines.

Don’t have a reusable bag?

Most local grocers have a wide variety of reusable bags for sale. Some ideas for getting along without plastic bags:

• Dealing with pet waste: There will still be many plastic bags in circulation. You can continue to use bread bags, produce, bulk or cereal bags.
• Lining a garbage can: Line your garbage can with newspaper and rinse it out periodically. Or buy some lightweight plastic bags and reuse them, dumping the contents into your outdoor garbage can before relining your can with them. Reuse the bag from your cat or dog food.

Why not show love for both your Valentine and Portland this Valentine’s Day? Check out these resources to help you shop at a green business, give the gift of experience and more.

Find restaurants, hotels, coffee shops and breweries in Sustainability at Work’s directory of certified Portland businesses.

Portland’s Sustainability at Work program highlights local businesses that are certified for taking concrete actions to strengthen our economy, community and environment. 

Treat your loved one: Getting ready for a big date? Or need a gift idea? Pamper yourself or someone else with a manicure, pedicure, massage or day at a spa from a Portland business.

Feed your foodie Valentine: Enjoy a meal together at a local restaurant. The list of restaurants is long, so check out Portland Monthly’s best. Restaurant gift certificates make great gifts or hints for future dates. The food cart scene makes for an impromptu opportunity to share a meal in one of Portland’s open spaces, like Pioneer Courthouse Square or Director Park.

Get outside together: Go on a walk or bike ride through one of Portland’s parks.

Offer food and flowers: Make a meal or bake something special for your Valentine using local food. Buying flowers for your Valentine? If you opt for cut flowers, look for flowers that are organic or local. Also consider purchasing a potted plant over fresh-cut flowers for a longer lasting impact.

Give vintage: Consider shopping at one of Portland’s many vintage stores for a unique gift idea.

Get crafty: Make a card or gift from recycled or reclaimed materials. SCRAP offers materials to make gifts personalized and unique, including craft items like fabric pieces, bottle caps, corks and dozens of others.

Do you have a favorite place to show your Portland love? Share your favorite Portland community resource.

The City does not endorse or assume responsibility for businesses, companies or organizations listed by the Be Resourceful program.

Consider inviting a Master Recycler to help you create and implement a plan to reduce the amount of garbage generated at your event, and recycle and compost as much as possible.

The Master Recycler program is a community education and outreach program on thoughtful consumption, toxics reduction, composting and recycling. Participants learn waste reduction and outreach techniques and then commit to volunteer 30 hours doing community education and outreach. Helping community organizations plan, implement and evaluate a “waste recovery plan” at an event is a perfect way for Master Recyclers to meet their volunteer commitment. Master Recyclers can also train and supervise your volunteers and vendors at your event.

Please note that Master Recyclers cannot staff waste stations to direct participants on how to sort their waste, nor can they haul or sort waste themselves.

To submit a request for a volunteer to help at your event, complete the Contact Us form on the Master Recycler website.

If you are not looking for a volunteer, but have specific questions about managing waste at events, visit PSU's Portland Event Recycling website.