The regional service standard sets the base level of service to for all government recycling collection programs in greater Portland.
The regional service standard includes both standards for education and outreach, and collection for residences and businesses to provide consistent services throughout the region.
It also includes specific requirements such as the business recycling requirement, adopted in 2008 requiring businesses in greater Portland to recycle, and the recently adopted business food waste requirement that requires certain types of food service businesses in the greater Portland area to keep their food scraps separate from garbage.
Why a change?
It is out of date. The previous chapter of Metro code was designed for the 2008 Regional Solid Waste Management Plan and contains state requirements that are no longer in use. The new chapters adopted in December 2020 reflect the 2030 Regional Waste Plan.
It is not well organized. The previous chapter 5.10 of Metro code did not fit the new format for Metro code and administrative rule. Additionally, to provide more clarity the previous Chapter 5.10 has been split into two chapters. Some code sections have been transferred into administrative rules to follow format changes being made to the Metro code overall.
It does not reflect the Regional Waste Plan. Updates have been made to the code and rule to implement the 2030 Regional Waste Plan and high-priority actions in the plan to improve multifamily garbage and recycling service.
Comments Metro received, along with guidance from advisory groups, informed updates to the adopted Metro code language and proposed administrative rule.
What are the specific changes that have been made?
The new change split the previous Chapter 5.10 into two chapters. Chapter 5.10 now covers the overall Regional Waste Plan and a new Chapter 5.15 was created to consolidate and focus on requirements specific to local governments.
Confusing sections have been reorganized by moving and rewording detailed information to administrative rules and group code sections by sector.
In the rule there will be a new general education section that applies to all customers and requires that education provided to all customers be accurate, culturally responsive and reflect local conditions.
New standards for multifamily services were adopted to implement high-priority Regional Waste Plan actions. These are the most significant changes and include:
- required use of regional signage on bins and in collection areas
- per unit service volume minimums for garbage, mixed recycling and glass streams
- weekly minimum collection frequency for all streams
- collection container color standard for all material streams.
The administrative rules now under consideration provide additional details to implement the standards adopted by Metro Council. Drafts of the proposed rules are below. A public comment period on the proposed rules opens January 5.