International Review of Waste Management Policy - Department of ...

City of Portland, Oregon (USA)
The city of Portland in Oregon, USA, currently requires that all businesses separate
out a minimum of 75 % of their waste for recycling. Those failing to do so are required
to demonstrate why they are unable to meet this requirement. All paper and
cardboard is to be recycled, and organic material is to be recycled where the Office of
Sustainable Development determines that the amount produced is sufficient to
warrant separate collection. Where glass forms part of the recyclable materials, this
should be collected separately from any other materials. This measure is intended to
maintain the quality of the collected paper and card. Free government assistance, in
the form of a ‘’Recycle at Work’’ programme, is also provided to help businesses
achieve this rate. 688
The regional government in Portland area, known as Metro, is looking to expand this
current policy to the wider Portland region (population approximately 2 million), and
also to increase the recycling rate required to 90 % for paper, cardboard and
containers. Metro analysts have estimated that this mandate would boost recycling by
55,000 tons a year, particularly for paper. The wider mandate would allow the
government to inspect the estimated 14 % of businesses that currently do little or no
recycling.
New Jersey (USA)
The state of New Jersey was the first state in the USA to require mandatory recycling
from all households, businesses and institutions. In 1987, the New Jersey Statewide
Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act came into force, with all households
required to recycle leaves and at least three of the following materials: paper, metal,
glass, plastic containers and food waste. In addition to these materials, the
commercial sector is also required to recycle its office paper and corrugated
cardboard waste.
35.3 Key Organisations Involved in Implementation and
Management
C&I separate collections are typically funded by the businesses themselves in the
majority of countries listed in Section 35.2. The collection systems are predominantly
privately co-ordinated and funded in Austria, Finland, Germany, Poland, Switzerland
and the USA. Local government provides the collection service itself for C&I waste
recycling in Denmark, Slovenia, for biowaste collections in Austria, and for SMEs
under the jurisdiction of the municipality in Switzerland.
35.4 Pre-implementation / Evaluation Studies Available
Federal Office for the Environment, 2008, Guide to Waste [Online] (Updated 28 th
February 2008). Available at:
688 Office of Sustainable Development, City of Portland (2008) Fall 2008 Revisions, Administrative
Rules, Commercial Solid Waste, Recycling and Compostables, available at
http://www.portlandonline.com/osd/index.cfm?c=41472&a=218220
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International Review of Waste Policy: Annexes