Written by Jen Power, Compliance Specialist for the City of Portland
As a Compliance Specialist for the City of Portland, my role is to ensure that garbage and recycling, and waste reduction policies are upheld, benefiting both residents and the environment. This involves holding garbage companies accountable when services fall short of the reliable service Portlanders expect. I also work closely with businesses to ensure they follow recycling regulations, supporting our shared goal of a cleaner, more sustainable city for everyone.
What Does Compliance Mean for Businesses?
Portland has adopted policies aimed at reducing waste and single-use plastics. For businesses, this means:
Styrofoam cannot be used to package or serve food and beverages.Â
Plastic single-use checkout bags cannot be provided by retailers, grocery stores, or restaurants.
Single-use plastics like straws, stirrers, utensils, or individually packaged condiments cannot be automatically offered in a customer’s order for dine-in, drive-through, take-out, or delivery. These items can only be provided upon customer request.
Recyclable materials must be separated and placed in the recycling.
Food scraps must be collected for compost service (only applies to businesses that produce 250 lbs or more of food waste per week).
Garbage, recycling, and compost containers cannot be stored on public sidewalks and streets.Â
Our Approach: Collaboration Over Punitive MeasuresÂ
At the heart of our compliance program is a philosophy of partnership first. Our focus isn’t on punishing minor mistakes; it’s on working with businesses to find solutions that fit their needs. We offer resources, support, and a reasonable time frame to help businesses meet their obligations.
Fines are a last resort. We issue fines only after a business consistently ignores offers of support and fails to fix the issue. Our goal is always to avoid punitive measures and instead foster cooperation.
How to Get Involved
Community involvement is essential to our success. If you notice a business that may not be in compliance with Portland’s garbage and recycling regulations, we encourage you to submit a report through our compliance form. It’s helpful if you can take photos of the issue and include them when you submit the form.Â
What Happens After You Submit a Report?
Once we receive a report, we contact the business to let them know about our rules and offer support. Businesses are typically given a 30-day window to bring their operations into compliance. If the business does not fix the issue and does not contact us to discuss options for resolving the issue, we may issue fines.
Contact UsÂ
Garbage and Recycling HotlineÂ
503-823-7202
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