United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
(5306W)
EPA-530-F-99-017m
October 1999
www.epa.gov/osw
Portland, Oregon
50% Municipal Solid Waste Reduction
(40% Residential Solid Waste Reduction: 52% Institutional/Commercial
Solid Waste Reduction)
Overview
In 1992, Portland switched to a franchising system for
residential waste management. Waste management companies
were required to institute pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) trash
rates, weekly same-day collection of 18 recyclable materials
and trash, and biweekly yard debris collection. In 1996, the
city diverted 40% of its residential waste — 21% through
curbside recycling, 17% through yard debris programs, and
3% through the state bottle bill. In addition to its residential
waste diversion program, Portland requires each of its
businesses to recycle 50% of their waste. The Portland
Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) provides businesses
assistance in meeting this requirement. In 1996, the first year
the requirement was in effect, Portland businesses recovered
52% of their waste; only 7% of businesses reported they did
not recycle. In 1996, Portland diverted 50% of its total
municipal solid waste (36% through recycling and 13%
through composting).
Keys to High Waste Reduction
Key strategies contributing to
Portland's high diversion rate are the city's
yard debris management program,
mandated recycling in multi-family and
commercial sectors, PAYT residential
trash fees, convenient curbside
collection of recyclables, and Oregon's
bottle bill. State Law requires each
jurisdiction to offer weekly collection of
yard debris or an approved alternative
program. Portland's biweekly program
meets this requirement. Portland
residents divert 17% of their waste
through this curbside program, private
composters, and the city's fall leaf
collection program. Multi-family
complexes must recycle newspapers
DHALU
POPULATION: 437,319
(1989); 503,000
(1996)
HOUSEHOLDS: 198,368
(1996); 130,755 single-
family households, 59,613
multi-family units
BUSINESSES: 50,000
1992
1996
Tons Per Year MSW NA 966,921
Tons Per Year RSW 136,929 172,830
Tons Per Year ICW NA 794,091
Percent MSW Diverted NA 50%
Percent RSW Diverted 29% 40%
Percent ICW Diverted NA 52%
Average Ibs./HH/dayi
6.14
7.10
Net Program Costs/HH! $240.55 $210.83
Disposal Services $186.56 $143.52
Diversion Services $54.00 $67.30
Key: MSW = municipal solid waste RSW = residential solid waste
ICW = institutional and commercial waste
NA = not available
Notes: 1992 dollars adjusted to 1996 dollars using the GDP deflator.
Numbers may not add to total due to rounding.
^Figures represent single-family residential sector only and exclude
self-haul recyclables. 122,245 households served in 1992; 129,698
in 1997. Costs represent fees paid to haulers by residents, not
costs to the city of Portland. 1996 figures are actual expenditures,
1992 figures are based on costs assuming all households
subscribed to weekly 32-gallon trash collection service.
Source: Institute for Local Self-Reliance, 1999.
This profile is part of the fact sheet Cutting the Waste Stream in Half: Community Record-Setters Show How (EPA-530-F-99-017).
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and scrap paper along with three of the
following additional materials: corrugated
cardboard, magazines, tin cans, glass containers,
or plastic bottles. A city ordinance effective
January 1996, requires all Portland businesses
to recycle 50% of their waste. Portland
instituted PAYT trash rates in 1992.
The city sets the rates charged for each
service level. To encourage residents to
reduce waste, a 20-gallon "mini-can" service,
the lowest service available, is priced below the
cost of service at $14.80 per month and fees for
service levels above 60-gallons of trash per week
include a disincentive premium. Portland
residents receive weekly curbside collection of
18 recyclable materials; the city requires haulers
to collect residents' recycling and trash on the
same day. In 1971, the state enacted a 5(t
deposit on most carbonated beverage
containers. In 1996, Portland diverted 2% of its
waste through this deposit system.
Cost-Effectiveness
Net costs households pay for residential
solid waste management services decreased from
tivmwi
CURBSIDE:
newspaper, magazines and catalogs, corrugated cardboard
mixed paper (including mail, paperboard, kraft paper bags, paper egg
cartons, and phone books)
milk cartons and aseptic containers
glass containers
aluminum cans and other clean aluminum
all plastic bottles
ferrous cans and lids
ferrous and non-ferrous scrap
(limited amounts)
used motor oil
aerosol cans
leaves, grass, brush, and other
yard debris
DROP-OFF:
(varies by site)
RESIDENTIAL WASTE GENERATION
PER HOUSEHOLD PER DAY
1994 1996
Recycling I Composting
Source: Institute for Local Self-Reliance, 1999.
$241 per household in 1992 to $211 per
household in 1996.1 Improved collection
efficiency and a drop in average trash can
weights reduced trash management costs from
$187 per household to $144 per household.
Net diversion costs have increased from $54 per
household in 1992 to $67 per household in
1996, representing a 25% cost increase while
per household diversion increased 59%.
Tips for Replication
Institute PAYT trash rates, which
encourage customers to reduce waste and
increase diversion.
Know the public and conditions in your
jurisdiction and plan accordingly.
Be responsive to the public.
Focus on convenience.
Notes:
1 Portland residents pay franchised haulers
directly for services. Reported costs
represent cumulative payments by
customers to haulers for waste services.
Contact
Solid Waste and Recycling Specialist
Portland Bureau of Environmental Services
1120 SW 5th, Room 400
Portland, OR 97204
PHONE: 503-823-5545
FAX: 503-823-4562
WEB SITE: www.europa.com/
environmentalservices/gar.htm
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