Search the site

Region recycled 56 percent in 2006; Metro sets sights higher for years ahead

Metro news release: Nov. 15, 2007
 Contact: Karen Kane (503) 797-1942  karen.kane@oregonmetro.gov

The Portland-metropolitan area recorded a three percent drop in the waste-recovery rate in 2006, down from 59 percent the year prior, according to a report released today by the Department of Environmental Quality. The region has posted modest but steady gains in recent years, increasing the rate eight percentage points since 2000.

Metro Councilor Kathryn Harrington says the report is not surprising. "The three percent change was not unexpected news and is largely the result of a blip in the scrap metals market in 2005," she said. "We shouldn't over react to movements of the market we can't control. Our focus is to implement a plan and redouble our focus on recovery goals and investments for the next ten years," she said.

On December 6, the Metro Council will take action on a ten-year Regional Solid Waste Management Plan that contains new elements that are noteworthy for their far-reaching and lasting protection of the environment. According to Harrington, who chairs a public/private committee that advises the Council on solid waste issues, the plan calls for expanded residential curbside recycling service, as well as programs to help residents and businesses generate less waste in the first place.

"The plan establishes a policy for balancing system investments by ratepayers with the benefits that come from a sensible mix of regulation, education and voluntary actions," explained Harrington. The plan was developed by solid waste industry representatives, business owners and residents, who worked for three years on a balanced strategy for waste reduction.

A cornerstone of the plan is to require construction and demolition debris recycling - which is not currently regulated. The new standard was established earlier this year when the Metro Council adopted the Enhanced Dry Waste Recovery Program The program is expected to recover an additional 33,000 tons of wood, metal, cardboard and roofing materials annually from construction and demolition projects.

The regional waste reduction rate calculated by the Department of Environmental Quality includes materials recycled, composted and burned for energy. Additional points are added for regional waste-prevention programs.

Highlights from the state's report

Tons generated, disposed and recovered in the Metro tri-county wasteshed in 2006:

• 1,361,678 tons disposed (up about 98,000 tons - the 2nd largest increase in 15 years)
• 1,335,413 tons recovered (down about 65,000 tons)*
• 2,697,092 total tons generated
• Calculated recovery rate based on tons generated/disposed: 49.5%
• Recovery credits awarded for prevention, reuse and residential composting: 6%
• Total recovery rate, including credits: 55.5%

*The three percent loss noted in the state's 2006 report can be tracked to two commodities - scrap metal (down nearly 103,000 tons or almost 40 percent) and yard debris (down 43,500 tons or slightly more than 13 percent). According to the Steel Recycling Institute, fluctuations in scrap metal over the past year reflect an extremely active market with prices above historic levels and inventories at their lowest levels since World War II. Demand and high prices for hogged fuel in 2005 may have diverted brush from yard debris that is normally composted.

New initiatives in the proposed Regional Solid Waste Management Plan

"Recycle at Work" - a regional program that provides on-site recycling assistance and free desk-side boxes for businesses that generate a lot of paper. Nearly 500 businesses have signed up as partners, pledging to start a recycling program in their workplaces or to increase their existing programs. Budgeted in FY 07-08: $1.033 million

Construction and Demolition debris recycling, including BoneyardNW, a materials exchange website that helps demolition contractors find buyers for salvaged materials, and helps builders reduce costs while meeting green-building standards. Budgeted in FY 07-08: $348,000

Food waste recovery/reduction program - takes food waste from restaurants, grocery stores and food processors is being trucked to a Washington-based composting operation. The company may open a facility in the Portland-metro area when the program matures and more waste is available for processing. Budgeted in FY 07-08: $245,000

Metro regulates solid waste and recycling in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties. As the regional government that serves 1.4 million people who live in the 25 cities and three counties of the Portland metropolitan area, Metro provides planning and other services that protect the nature and livability of our region.