1. The Role of Local Government in Improving the Environment Bruce Walker City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development October 20, 2005

2. Portland Profile  545,000 population  135,000 households  2,500 multifamily complexes  20,000 businesses

3. Portland’s Programs  Leadership: Establish Policies and Goals  Partnership: Businesses, Residents and Non-Profit Organizations  Action: Energy Conservation, Greenhouse Gas Reduction, Green Building, Solid Waste & Recycling

4.   City energy conservation measures save $2.3 million annually– 22% of total energy costs  Goal: 100% renewable power for city facilities PacifiCorp Energy Conservation

5. State Financial Incentives for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Resources  Residential Energy Tax Credit - 25%  Business Energy Tax Credit - 35%  $60+ million annually available for energy efficiency and renewable resource investments

6. Reductions in Greenhouse Gases Since 1990, Portland has achieved: A 12.5 percent per capita reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.A 12.5 percent per capita reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. A 9 % per capita reduction in gasoline use A 10 % reduction in household electricity use Residential recycling has tripled

7. Transportation Transit ridership has increased 75% since 1990. Tri-Met Bicycle commuting has tripled.

8. Green Building  More LEED Buildings than any U.S. city  Key barrier was lack of good information, so program focuses on: Technical assistance TrainingResources

11. Recycling Goals  In 1998, City Council set a goal of 60% of solid waste being recycled by 2005  Since 1998, the rate has been between 53% & 55%

12. Residential Recycling  30 franchised haulers  Weekly, curbside collection  Glass separate  Paper, aluminum, plastic, cardboard, motor oil  Yard Debris bi-weekly

14. Commercial establishments generate by far the larger portion of all garbage & therefore have a much larger impact on what goes to landfills Commercial Residential

15. Commercial Recycling  Free market system for garbage and recycling  58 permitted haulers  Recycling carts are paid for by City  Haulers  required to provide recycling  Businesses  must recycle 50% of waste

16. Commercial Recycling Containers

17. Commercial Assistance  80% of businesses report recycling more than 4 types of materials  City launched GoBlue! program and BlueWorks recognition in Fall of 2004

18. Regional campaign

19. Multifamily Recycling  5+ units: apartments, condos, group living facilities  City began recycling outreach in 1990s  As of July 1, 2005: standardized 2-sort with glass separate

22. Partnerships with Private Sector  Businesses  provide assistance to increase recycling  Haulers  assure service delivered to customers  MRFs  independent monitoring of residuals

23. Future Steps  New, higher recycling goal  Changes in structure of commercial sector  Residential roll carts  Targeted waste streams:  Food waste  Paper  C&D

24. Lessons Learned  Strong policy and political leadership is paramount  Success requires action at every level  Developing support from residential and business customers is essential

25. Contact: Bruce Walker City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development Solid Waste & Recycling Program 721 NW 9th Avenue, Room 350 Portland, OR 97209 bwalker@ci.portland.or.ushttp://www.sustainableportland.org