Now serving Washington County!
Urban Gleaners is a regional, volunteer-driven food rescue organization that feeds 6,000 people every week. Since 2006, staff and volunteers have collected nutritious surplus food from businesses and then repackaged, labeled and delivered it to pantries and schools.
 
Grocery stores, restaurants, catering companies and other food service businesses can donate food to Urban Gleaners for distribution to partner agencies in Washington County. Fresh produce, packaged items, prepared or frozen foods, meat and dairy are all accepted by Urban Gleaners.

Our Green Business Advisors and Urban Gleaners can help your business start a simple food rescue program. Email your questions to a Washington County Green Business Advisor or contact Urban Gleaners directly to see if your business can be added to a surplus food collection route or if you would like to be added as a food pantry location. 
Business Tools to Prevent the Wasting of Food
On March 12, a large group of diverse food service professionals convened for a workshop focusing on developing a strategic roadmap to reduce and prevent wasted food within their businesses. Restaurants, colleges, secondary schools, nonprofits, distributors, hotels, and large event venues all discussed best practices and how to incorporate wasted food measurement and prevention tools into their operations. Participants learned about a free toolkit that provides the background information and resources a business needs to reduce waste and save money.
 
Food Waste Stops With Me is a collaboration between Metro, the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, as well as Washington County and other local governments to help food service businesses reduce food waste. Request assistance from a Washington County Green Business Advisor and start your roadmap to reducing and preventing valuable food from being wasted. 
Association of Oregon Recyclers Spring Forum
 
If you are a business and would like to learn more about the recycling industry and attend future events with the Association of Oregon Recyclers (AOR), please visit OregonRecyclers.org . AOR welcomes a variety of business perspectives!

If you would like to explore ways your business can reduce waste and increase recycling, please contact a Washington County Green Business Advisor .
A Message from Oregon Composters
Read nine reasons why Oregon based composting facilities do not want "compostable" packaging and serviceware delivered to their facilities. Learn how these materials are compromising their compost and limiting the environmental benefits of creating a nutrient-rich, quality product.