Use our What to Recycle and Where search tool!

• Find out how to properly discard, donate or recycle hundreds of items.
• Visit WashingtonCountyRecycles.com/GRD or download the Garbage and Recycling Day app from Google Play or the App Store. 

‘Right to repair’ in the Oregon Legislature

The Right to Repair movement is the effort to remove barriers that prevent product owners or independent repair professionals from repairing devices. Senate Bill 542 was introduced into the Oregon Legislature this year. The bill requires the original equipment manufacturer to make available the parts, tools or documentation needed to diagnose, maintain or safely repair electronics and appliances. Learn about SB 542 at the Oregon State Legislature website. 

Food waste prevention week

Join us in celebrating Oregon’s second annual Food Waste Prevention Week, April 10-16! The week will be filled with engaging activities to raise awareness and inspire everyone to reduce food waste at home, work and in our communities. Activities include social media trivia games, K-12 student art contests, online webinars, in-person events and more! Together, we will inspire real cultural change around food waste to help Oregon families save money, protect the environment, and address hunger in our communities.

To participate in these activities, visit www.foodwastepreventionweek.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram @foodwastepreventionweek.

Food Waste Stops with Me

Local Oregon chefs Carlo Lamagna (Magna Kusina), Lisa Schroeder (Mother’s Bistro) and Craig Haynes (FiMi Kingston) share their stories of how they prevent food waste in their kitchens. These chefs use their childhood memories, cultural traditions and years of cooking in professional kitchens to develop successful strategies. Reducing waste in the kitchen not only increases profit margins, but also has the potential to enhance the quality and flavor of food prepared. Visit FoodWasteStopsWithMe.org to learn from these culinary experts, access resources and request assistance from a food waste reduction specialist.

Food Waste Stops with Me is a collaboration between Metro, the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and city and county governments to help food service businesses reduce food waste.

Small business spotlight

Check out our new small business spotlight webpage featuring Cha Cha Cha and La Barca Guerrero; two local small businesses committed to making a sustainable impact in their communities!

Nortek Air Solutions

Congratulations to Nortek Air Solutions on their gold level Green Business Award! Here are a few of the highlights of their efforts:



• Work with partners to recycle pallets, batteries, lenses, plastic film and foam that are not accepted in mixed recycling.
• Onboard all new hires about their sustainable business practices.
• Reduce paper usage by switching to electronic processes on the manufacturing floor.

NorthWest Engineering Service, Inc.

NorthWest Engineering Service, Inc. (NWESI) was recertified as Green Business Leader. Highlights of their application include:



• Have an impressive corporate social responsibility policy that guides their internal operations and external partnerships.
• Use purchasing practices that prioritize supplies with recycled content and buying in bulk to reduce packaging and transportation emissions. 
• Reduce toxic and hazardous waste exposure by using third-party certified green cleaning products and choosing Eco-Biz certified auto maintenance companies. 

Peterson Structural Engineers

Congratulations to Peterson Structural Engineers for recertifying while adopting new initiatives to improve their sustainability goals! Here are a few highlights of their efforts:



• Share sustainability best practices with new staff including waste reduction, recycling and commuting options. 
• Offer sheltered and secure bike parking, a tire repair kit, an air pump and spare lock for staff and visitors since they value bicycle commuting
• Create art from reclaimed materials and display it in their lobby to welcome visitors.

Become a greener business today!

Earth day is right around the corner and one way to celebrate is to become a certified green business through our program.

If your business or organization was a Green Business Leader in the past, now is the time to recertify. And if you're simply looking to improve your recycling and waste reduction efforts, we can help with that too!

Check out our website for all the different ways you can connect with our program. We provide lots of free resources, staff training and onsite assistance in both Spanish and English. Contact us today!