During development of the 2030 Regional Waste Plan, Metro asked community members what improvements they would like to see in the garbage and recycling system. Many residents highlighted the problem of inequitable access to services.
The Garbage and Recycling System Facilities Plan builds on these previous conversations, exploring how new facilities might be able to improve the overall garbage and recycling system.
The development of the new plan is informed by engagement with multiple stakeholders including local government partners, garbage and recycling businesses, reuse and repair organizations and community members. Each of these groups brings a unique perspective to the question of how to invest in garbage and recycling infrastructure in greater Portland.
Staff will engage communities of color, urban indigenous peoples and tribal nations and other groups who are often more directly impacted by the decisions that affect the garbage and recycling system but have fewer opportunities to influence and shape that system.
What staff learns from engagement will help to shape the plan and outline the challenges people experience using the garbage and recycling system. These perspectives will inform the investment and implementation scenarios to be presented to Metro Council.
Community advisory group
Metro convened community members who represent diverse view points and experiences to advise on the system facilities plan. Members of the advisory group were chosen for their unique perspectives and connections to historically marginalized communities and for their interest and experiences in advancing environmental justice including holding waste education and collection events in their communities.
The group will help to advance racial equity in the development of the plan, identify service gaps, and advise on benefits and impacts of future facilities and services.
The advisory group will provide input and their expertise throughout all phases of the project. Meeting videos and presentation information can be found on the event webpages below:
Community advisory group meeting 1: May 18, 2022
Community advisory group meeting 2: June 14, 2022
Community advisory group meeting 3: July 28, 2022
Community advisory group meeting 4: Aug. 23, 2022
Community advisory group meeting 5: Sept. 19, 2022
Community advisory group meeting 6: Oct. 18, 2022
Community advisory group meeting 7: Dec. 12, 2022
Community advisory group meeting 8: Feb. 28, 2023
Community advisory group meeting 9: April 11,2023
Phase 2 engagements
Gap identification roundtables
Metro and stakeholders including collection companies, local government partners, reuse, recycling and repair organizations and users of our current system, have recognized gaps and inequities in our public, private, and non-profit garbage, recycling and reuse infrastructure.
In the fall of 2022, Metro hosted a series of roundtables with key stakeholders to talk about gaps in services to inform how future facilities could fill these gaps. Gaps and ideas for new services that were identified will help to develop scenarios to improve the garbage and recycling system in phases 3 and 4.
Reuse & Repair Roundtable: October 4, 2022
Community Partner Roundtable: October 6, 2022
Local Government Roundtable: October 31, 2022
Industry Roundtable: November 3, 2022
Site and policy staff
Front line workers at Metro South and Metro Central transfer stations, household hazardous waste facilities, MetroPaint and RID see the benefits of and barriers that exist at facilities on a daily basis. During phase 2 of the facilities plan, these stakeholders were also engaged to identify system gaps and opportunities for investment.
Metro advisory committees
Staff will also consult with the Regional Waste Advisory Committee (RWAC), and Metro’s Committee on Racial Equity (CORE) to update them on the project progress at each phase, and receive advice related Metro Council decision-making about the project.
A summary of input received from these conversations will be posted on the project webpage.