Garbage and Recycling

Garbage and Recycling

Green Business Directory

The businesses listed below are Clackamas County certified Leaders in Sustainability, recognized for their positive impact on our environment and community. They have demonstrated a commitment to sustainability through efforts in recycling and compost, energy and water efficiencies, sustainable transportation and community engagement. This is how green business gets done.

Interested in certifying your organization? Find out how.

Each Leader in Sustainability:

  • completed at least 1 practice in each section of the application
  • identify 1 new sustainability goal
  • formalized the finished list of practices as official policy

...plus complete a minimum number of overall practices:

Certified awardCertification
Complete at least 15 total practices, 1 new goal, 1 community action
Silver awardSilver Certification
Complete at least 35 total practices, 1 new goal, 1 community action + 20 additional actions
Gold awardGold Certification
Complete at least 55 total practices, 1 new goal, 1 community action + 40 additional actions

Categories

Certified Award = Certified Silver Award = Silver Certification Gold Award = Gold Certification Business Mentor = Business Mentor

Food Service

Gold Award MentorBabica Hen Café
Gold Award MentorCup of Tea
Gold Award MentorGubanc's Pub
Silver AwardHappyrock Coffee Roasting Co
Gold Award MentorKelly's Jelly
Gold AwardLake Theater & Cafe
Gold Award MentorMenchie's Frozen Yogurt - Oregon City
Gold AwardNew Seasons Market – Mountain Park and Happy Valley locations
Silver Award MentorUnity Foods

Manufacturing

Gold Award MentorBob's Red Mill Natural Food
Gold Award MentorDWFritz Automation Inc.
Gold Award MentorEaton Portland Power Center
Gold Award MentorForm Factory Holdings, LLC
Gold Award MentorGeneral Sheet Metal
Gold Award MentorHoptown Handles
Silver Award MentorOECO
Gold Award MentorOregon Tool
Silver Award MentorRose City Label
Gold Award MentorSTANLEY Infrastructure
Gold Award MentorTE Connectivity
Gold Award MentorWyld
Gold Award MentorYakima Products, Inc.

Property management, retirement facilities

Gold Award MentorColliers International Centerpointe
Gold AwardDanielsons
Gold Award MentorMary's Woods
Gold Award MentorRose Villa
Gold Award MentorShorenstein Realty Services, L.P.
Gold Award MentorWillamette View

Services, retail

Gold Award MentorAkana
Gold Award MentorAspen Pest Control
Silver AwardCanby Restore Habitat for Humanity
Gold Award MentorCommercial Furniture Distributors
Silver AwardDyke Vandenburgh Jewelers
Silver Award MentorElevate Wealth Advisors
Gold Award MentorFCS Group
Gold Award MentorGeoEngineers, Inc.
Silver Award MentorGreat American Video & Espresso
Silver Award MentorLiveEdge Eco Salon
Silver AwardLush Cosmetics
Gold Award MentorMaul Foster & Alongi, Inc.
Gold Award MentorOBEC Consulting Engineers

Government, nonprofits and educational institutions

Silver AwardBridges to Change
Gold Award MentorCity of West Linn
Gold Award MentorClackamas County Department of Transportation and Development
Gold Award MentorClackamas Water Environment Services
Gold AwardCoffee Creek Correctional Facility
Gold Award MentorExceed Enterprises
Silver AwardFriends of Robinwood Station
Gold Award MentorGuide Dogs for the Blind
Gold Award MentorJesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest
Gold Award MentorLake Oswego City Hall
Gold Award MentorLake Oswego United Church of Christ
Silver AwardSandy Community Action Center

Food Service

Gold Award Mentor

Babica Hen Café Babica Hen Café

Babica Hen Cafe bakes cupcakes, cookies, muffins and pies daily, serves breakfast and lunch made from scratch with Northwest ingredients, and offers event space and catering for special occasions.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Follows a sustainable purchasing policy, including purchasing products made of recycled-content materials
  • Uses native plants for landscaping
  • Uses prepped food for new menu items
  • Donates in-kind services to the community
Gold Award Mentor

Cup of Tea Cup of Tea

Cup of Tea is a loose-leaf tea house and gift shop that prioritizes environmental stewardship and social responsibility in their daily routines and overall mission. They educate customers and encourage them to participate in eco-friendly behaviors, such as reusing tea transfer bags and using their own cups and containers. They also support local eco-initiatives through their donation programs.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Provides dine-in customers with reusable glassware and flatware
  • Supports environmental and social causes with their Seasonal Tea program
  • Collects used tea leaves for composting by local gardeners
  • Recycles ink cartridges, packing materials, light bulbs, and batteries
  • Inventory sold includes products made from recycled materials
  • Uses energy-efficient lighting
Gold Award Mentor

Gubanc'''s Pub Gubanc's Pub

Since 1976, Gubanc's Pub has served its guests the best quality food, made from scratch with great care in their kitchen. Gubanc's uses only all-natural, locally raised beef and pork, and source as much possible from the local area.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Follows a sustainable purchasing policy
  • Donates leftover soups to St. Vincent dePaul
  • Purchases products made of recycle content materials
  • Uses prepped food for new menu items
  • Donates in-kind services to their community
Silver Award

Happyrock Coffee Roasting Co Happyrock Coffee Roasting Co

Happyrock Coffee is a small-batch artisan coffee roaster located in downtown Gladstone. Their beans can be found in restaurants, cafes, grocers, farmers markets and specialty stores.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Promotes and purchases local products
  • Use energy efficient lighting
  • Reuse product packaging and shipping materials
  • Purchases renewable energy
Gold AwardMentor

Kelly's Jelly Kelly's Jelly

Kelly's Jelly is a family-owned and -operated maker of specialty foods such as their popular pepper jellies. A family recipe for jelly with a kick – initially made for fun – was soon being sold at local farmers markets, and now it's available in over 160 stores (and counting) around the country. The team at Kelly's Jelly has been recognized both locally and nationally not only for how good their food tastes, but also for their commitment to going beyond business as usual to make a positive difference for others and our planet.

Additional sustainable practices include:

  • Donates to local organizations that serve families in need
  • Hosts annual open house that supports other women-owned businesses
  • Employs local students and regularly participates in school fundraisers
  • Products include ingredients from local and regional farmers
  • Follows a range of practices related to waste reduction and energy conservation
Gold Award

Lake Theater & Cafe Lake Theater & Cafe

Lake Theater & Cafe is a popular destination for food, drink, lakeside dining, movie showings, private events and live music. They partner with area farmers and NW-specific purveyors to provide sustainable, farm-fresh produce and meats whenever possible.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Purchases 90% of vegetables from an organic farm in nearby Oregon City
  • Serves food and concessions in reusable containers
  • Provides metal straws instead of plastic disposable straws
  • Composts all food scraps and follows food-waste prevention practices
  • Uses their backyard herb garden in meal preparation
  • Installed LED lighting, including on the outdoor marquee
  • Provides health benefits to all staff working at least 20 hours per week
Gold Award Mentor

Menchie's Frozen Yogurt Menchie's Frozen Yogurt - Oregon City

Menchie's Frozen Yogurt makes yogurt from happy cows and real ingredients. The Oregon City location took sustainability into consideration before opening in the fall of 2016.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Encourage spoons to be used again. Guests can take their spoons home, leave them at the store where they will be donated to charitable organizations or recrafted into art.
  • Installed energy efficient hand dryers and LED lighting
  • Uses green cleaning products
  • Purchases paper products made with recycled content
  • Works with property manager to monitor water usage and replaced the faucets with low-flow aerators
  • Donates thousands of dollars to local school programs and charitable organizations each year
Gold Award

New Seasons Market New Seasons Market - Mountain Park and Happy Valley locations

As the first grocery store in the world to become a certified B Corporation, New Seasons Market's goal is to build community, champion the regional food economy, and be sustainable to the core by continually finding creative ways to keep their environmental footprint small.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • 10% of after-tax profits are donated to address hunger relief, public education, and conservation
  • Eliminated single-use plastic straws from the store
  • Switched packaging to designs with lower carbon, energy, and water footprints
  • 100% of electricity is purchased through renewable energy credits
  • Employee green team awards spendable Green Bucks to coworkers who do extra in sustainable practices
  • Employees receive a paid day off each year to volunteer in the community
  • Conducted an in-depth waste audit to look for new waste-reduction opportunities
  • Food recovery program and compost collection keep food waste out of the landfill
  • 84% of their Partner Brand products are sourced within 500 miles
Silver Award Mentor

Unity Foods Unity Foods

Unity Foods is a local food distributor for independent restaurants and food carts in the Portland Metro area. . They exceed industry standards to deliver the highest quality products and service and bring a sustainability lens to their supply chain, fleet and decisions.
Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Operates one third of their fleet with electric vehicles, with plans for more!
  • Purchases carbon offsets.
  • Donates surplus products to charitable organizations.
  • Source products from Oregon based ranchers and suppliers.
  • Seeks out vendors that align with their values for their supply.

Manufacturing

Gold Award Mentor

Babica Hen Café Bob's Red Mill Natural Food

Founded by Bob Moore in 1978 and located in Milwaukie, Bob's Red Mill is a leader in nutritious, organic and gluten free foods. They are proudly 100% employee-owned and guided by their mission to promote whole grain foods for every meal of the day.
Bob's Red Mill is committed to creating a sustainable future with a vision to be a global leader in promoting a healthy planet through company practices and individual behaviors.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Installed solar panels producing 120 kW of renewable energy providing power to the electric vehicle charging stations for customers
  • Provides surplus food to Oregon Food Bank and through a food waste app called Too Good To Go
  • Supports Oregon's Recycling Modernization Act
Gold Award Mentor

DWFritz Logo DWFritz Automation Inc. 

DWFritz Automation is a leading global provider for advanced manufacturing solutions. They develop, design, build and support engineered-to-order automation systems, specializing in high-speed, complex inspections to enhance product quality and maximize manufacturing throughput. They are set to find better ways to improve the social and environmental impacts of their work.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Reduces, reuses, recycles, and refuses multiple materials to prevent landfill-bound waste
  • Continually tracks and analyzes energy use, water use and waste streams to identify reduction opportunities
  • Employee green committee researches and advances practices that support the company's triple bottom line
  • Follows lean manufacturing processes on the engineering floor
  • Employees receive paid time off each year to volunteer in the community
  • Uses composted food waste in employee garden for growing fresh produce
  • Hosts a recycling day for employees to bring in specialty items for disposal
Gold Award Mentor

Eaton Eaton Portland Power Center

Eaton's Portland Power Center in Wilsonville designs and builds electrical distribution and control switchgear. As a global corporation, Eaton has committed to a 50% reduction in its current greenhouse gas emissions and carbon neutrality by 2030. The staff green team advances sustainability projects to improve the site's overall environmental efficiency, educate staff, and give back to the community.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Saves energy with LED lighting and automatic louvres for ventilation
  • Tracks and analyzes waste streams for trends and opportunities
  • Reduces, reuses, and recycles several materials to prevent landfill-bound waste
  • Follows lean manufacturing practices and trains management in lean standards
  • Matches employee charitable contributions to nonprofits
  • Dedicated to a diverse work force through partnership with underserved communities and proactive employment practices
Gold Award Mentor

Form Factory Form Factory Holdings, LLC

Form Factory, Inc. is the first Oregon-based company licensed by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC)'s Recreational Cannabis Division to pack and bottle cannabis-based food and beverages. They exceed industry standards and regulations to deliver the highest quality, safe and consistent product to a fast emerging market.

They acknowledge that responsible environmental stewardship is an ongoing process that requires constant evaluation and improvement, and that sustainability drives innovation both in the economy and society.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Follows a sustainability policy incorporating green standards
  • Advocates for sustainable practices to be adopted with everyone they collaborate with including clients, suppliers and vendors
  • Educates staff about their sustainability policy, and recycling and waste reduction efforts
  • Monitors and measures their waste for opportunities to educate staff and reduce waste
  • Uses durable dishware in break room
Gold Award Mentor

General Sheet Metal General Sheet Metal

General Sheet Metal specializes in mechanical, architectural and heating-ventilating-air conditions (HVAC) fabrication, installation and repair services for the commercial and industrial markets. General Sheet Metal actively encourages a culture of safety and environmental consciousness.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Constructed new building to meet high performance building standards
  • Conducts a paper assessment with staff using toolkit provided by the County
  • Uses paperless invoicing, billing and payroll
  • Uses durable dishware in break room and production area
  • Conducts chemical assessments to eliminate toxic chemicals
  • Uses teleconferencing technologies to communicate with clients
Gold Award Mentor

Hoptown Handles Hoptown Handles

Hoptown Handles manufactures and designs tap handles for craft breweries around the world. Using FSC-certified woods and water-based finishes, they strive to be the sustainable, high-quality, American-made alternative to mass-produced tap handles manufactured overseas.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Sells tap handles made of FSC-certified maple for over 90% of orders
  • Donates to the National Forest Foundation to plant a tree for every 50 handles sold
  • Crafts Reclaimed Series handles from leftover scrap wood and reclaimed wine and whiskey barrels
  • Uses low- or no-VOC water-based finishes
  • Supports the community through paid time off for volunteering
Silver AwardMentor

OECO – Milwaukie OECO – Milwaukie

OECO, a Meggitt company, designs and manufactures products for the defense, commercial aviation, space, industrial and medical industries. They are committed to the prevention of pollution, the protection of the environment and the health and safety of their employees, customers and neighbors. Whenever possible, they reduce the consumption of natural resources, generation of waste, and emissions of harmful substances to the environment.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Sustainability and recycling progress is shared on an employee board and in all staff meetings
  • An Environmental Management System is used to guide environmental efforts
  • Uses green cleaners, as available
  • Uses energy efficient lighting throughout facility
  • Promotes community giving in food bank, blood and gift drives
  • Reduces paper consumption through paperless payroll
Gold Award Mentor

Oregon Tool Oregon Tool

Oregon Tool is a global company specializing in professional grade precision cutting tools for forestry, lawn and garden; farming, ranching and agriculture; and concrete cutting and finishing. Headquartered in Milwaukie, with a multinational manufacturing and distribution footprint, Oregon Tool sells its products in more than 110 countries.

With such a large global footprint, they recognize their responsibility as stewards of their environment, and have committed to a range of sustainable practices and initiatives to reduce their impact

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Reuses and recycles up to 98% of the oil used onsite in the manufacturing process.
  • Makes products to last, and provides replacement parts when components wear out.
  • Supports local residents and emergency crews with employee volunteers in disaster areas to help with chain sharpening and equipment maintenance.
Silver Award Mentor

Rose city label Rose City Label

Rose City Label is a family-owned and operated manufacturer of custom printed labels for small to midsize northwest companies. They serve nearly 700 companies annually in a variety of industries including local beer and wine,specialty foods, and beauty products.

They've been committed to sustainability since 2009 and in 2018 were recognized by their industry trade association.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Measures and sets goals to reduce water, gas, electricity and garbage
  • Recycles pallet wrap and bags
  • Reuses items in the press room during production runs
  • Installed new equipment that helped them significantly reduce chemical usage
  • Converted to 100% wind power
Gold Award Mentor

STANLEY STANLEY Infrastructure

STANLEY Infrastructure designs and builds hydraulic tools for construction and infrastructure projects across the world, with private and public sector customers. A strong corporate commitment to not only reduce negative impacts on the environment, but to contribute positively, is demonstrated in a range of sustainable practices at its two locations in Clackamas County.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Dedicates a portion of annual capital expenditures to sustainability improvements
  • Tracks and analyzes energy use, water consumption and waste streams for trends and opportunities
  • Saves energy with LED lighting throughout facilities and automatic overhead doors to minimize heat loss
  • Reduces, reuses and recycles several materials to prevent landfill-bound waste
  • Follows lean manufacturing practices at their factory and trains management in lean standards
  • Produces an annual sustainability report that highlights goals, progress and achievements
  • Matches employee charitable contributions to nonprofits
Gold Award Mentor

TE Connectivity

TE Connectivity TE Connectivity is a technology designer and manufacturer with more than 80,000 employees in over 140 countries. They work with customers on innovations in transportation, industrial applications, medical technology, energy, data communications, and the home. TE Connectivity's global and local commitment to sustainability include efforts in its production processes, product design, supply chain, and community engagement.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Participates in Energy Trust of Oregon's Strategic Energy Management program and has made numerous energy efficiency upgrades throughout their Wilsonville facility
  • Monitors energy and water use and regularly evaluates for new conservation opportunities
  • Recycles a range of byproducts from their manufacturing processes
  • Follows lean manufacturing processes that minimize waste
  • Publishes a corporate social responsibility report annually
Gold Award Mentor

Wyld Wyld

Wyld makes cannabis edibles using real fruit and natural flavors. The company, with roots in a tiny farm building in Central Oregon, believes taking responsibility for business-related impacts on climate change requires immediate action and is committed to minimizing the impact of its operations on the environment. Three Clackamas locations, comprising of manufacturing facilities and corporate offices, earned Gold certification.
Featured sustainable actions:

  • Matches 100% of its electricity use with renewable energy certificates through PGE programs
  • Established recycling streams for materials like batteries and plastic bags/film
  • Transitioning corporate offices and manufacturing facilities to 100% LED lights where possible
  • Transitioned paper towels, toilet paper and copy paper to options that meet or exceed requirements in EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines for Paper and Paper Products
  • Installed the company's first Level 2 dual-head EV charger station for employee use
Gold Award Mentor

Yakima Products, Inc. Yakima Products, Inc.

Yakima Products, Inc. is a world leader in vehicle racks and cargo solutions. They offer a variety of cargo management products, including racks for bikes, boats, ski equipment, fishing rods, and other gear, as well as cargo boxes and bags, roof-top tents and awnings, water transport, and high performance multi-sport trailers.

They make sure their products have as small of an environmental footprint as possible by integrating sustainability at the product development stage and making better design choices from the beginning.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Has a team to research and implement green practices for products and facilities
  • Uses LED lighting in parking lot and interior and exterior lighting along with motion sensors in most areas of the building
  • Bike room, showers and lockers provided for employees
  • Janitorial company uses green cleaners
  • Durable dishware used in lunchroom and coffee stations
  • Uses an index tool to standardize how they measure product and supply chain sustainability elements

Property management, retirement facilities

Gold Award Mentor

Colliers International Centerpointe Colliers International Centerpointe

Colliers International is a full-service commercial real estate firm with brokerage, asset/property management and commercial finance divisions. The company strives to maintain consistent, sustainable practices for a healthy and safe environment for their tenants and visitors.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Received U.S. EPA Energy Star award for energy performance and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
  • Installed high efficiency HVAC equipment, outdoor air ventilation and computerized building automation system
  • Installed efficient lighting and lighting control systems that use daylight and occupancy sensors and reduce energy use
  • Introduced low-flow and auto-control restroom fixtures to reduce clean water use
  • Holds a semi-annual paper shredding event for recycling sensitive documents free of cost to tenants
  • Located close to public transportation, and secured bicycle parking and walkways to nearby shops to reduce negative impact on traffic and air pollution
Gold Award

Danielsons

Danielsons Properties has two retail centers in Oregon City and Milwaukie. A Safeway grocery store anchors each development along with many other retail shops. Prior to managing the properties, Danielsons used to own and operate grocery stores at these locations prior to getting out of the grocery industry.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Shares recycling and waste reduction education with tenants annually
  • Provides an electric vehicle charging station for public use
  • Upgraded parking lot, external building and internal office lights to LED
  • Recycles fluorescent lamps from their office and from their tenants
  • Uses an electronic document library in place of paper files
  • Monitors tenant water usage to identify if leaks occur
Gold Award Mentor

Mary's Woods Mary's Woods

Mary's Woods at Marylhurst, a nonprofit organization sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Names, is a provider of housing, health and vital aging services for older adults. Mary's Woods is committed to the full development for every individual at each life stage.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Uses low-flow toilets and urinals, energy-efficient lights and light occupancy sensors
  • Composts food scraps
  • Uses certified green cleaners
  • Shares sustainability tips in their resident newsletter
  • Involves residents through their Stewardship Council
  • Offers electric car charging to residents, employees and visitors
  • Uses water-conserving sprinkler heads for landscaping
Gold Award Mentor

Rose Villa Rose Villa

Rose Villa is a nonprofit senior living organization with a mission to support older adults to live the life of their own choosing. From independent living to 24-hour nursing, Rose Villa works with individuals every step of the way in their personal journey. Rose Villa partners with the community by providing resources for local groups and engaging in sustainable practices wherever possible.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Resident Green Committee advocates for new sustainability initiatives and educates other residents on sustainability issues
  • Operates a comprehensive recycling program for staff and residents, including composting
  • Offers residents the option to purchase wind power through PGE
  • Built a Net Zero Energy neighborhood of high-efficiency buildings that generate their own electricity onsite
  • Landscapes with native plants to reduce irrigation and plants new trees to increase tree canopy coverage
  • Follows food-waste prevention best practices in their restaurants' kitchen
Gold Award Mentor

Shorenstein Realty Services, L.P. Shorenstein Realty Services, L.P.

Shorenstein owns and manages high-quality office and residential properties including a 20-building office campus with 1.8 million square feet in Lake Oswego. Shorenstein embraces environmental, social, and governance best practices as an opportunity to improve their business. Their efforts have added measurable value through reduced operating expenses and increased tenant satisfaction.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Publishes an annual sustainability report covering conservation and energy-saving efforts and achievements
  • Is an EPA Energy Star partner and benchmarks all properties using Energy Star Portfolio Manager
  • Installed high-efficiency HVAC computerized building automation systems and LED lighting
  • Hosts an annual sustainability workshop for tenants to receive tools and resources to use in their own operations and to learn about local sustainability issues
  • Holds electronics recycling and paper shredding events for tenants
  • Installed low-flow and auto-control restroom fixtures to reduce water use
  • Provides access to electric vehicle charging station for public use at no charge
Gold Award Mentor

Willamette View Willamette View

Willamette View is the first continuing care retirement community founded in the Portland metro area. They are a not-for-profit organization offering a wide variety of services and programs for the people who live and work there and are an active participant in the local community. Willamette View's staff and residents work together on a range of sustainability practices.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Collects food waste for compost in resident dining venues
  • Uses LED lighting throughout the 27-acre campus
  • Partners with Energy Trust of Oregon on energy-saving initiatives
  • Participates in Clackamas County Adopt-A-Road program
  • Supports an active and engaged resident Green Team
  • Renovation projects are done according to green building standards

Services, retail

Gold Award Mentor

Akana Akana

Akana is a Native American-owned firm providing design and consultation services in architecture, engineering, planning, and construction management. Sustainability and care for future generations are central to their design projects, consulting work, and office's daily operations. Their services begin with a basis in ecology, protecting resources while utilizing locally sourced, resilient materials. They also provide continuous sustainability education for staff to adopt best practices in their daily lives.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Utilizes low-impact development techniques on projects to maximize reclamation of natural resources, protect the environment, and reduce operating costs
  • Hosts sustainability events for staff including a bike week, green building tours, and forest bathing to foster a personal connection with the natural environment
  • Green purchasing policies include selecting environmentally preferable products and buying from local suppliers
  • LEEDTM-trained and -certified staff apply sustainability best practices on projects
  • Encourages staff to include sustainability trainings in their professional development requirements
  • Office plants selected to improve indoor air quality and make a better working environment
Gold Award Mentor

Aspen Pest Control Aspen Pest Control

Aspen Pest Control is a locally owned pest management company offering residential and commercial services that are as safe as possible for children, pets and the environment. They prioritize integrated pest management practices that minimize the need for chemicals to begin with and, when needed, use the lowest toxicity chemicals they can. Sustainability practices that reduce waste and conserve resources are integrated across their operations, both in the field and in the office.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Saves fuel and reduces emissions through a no-idling policy, automatic start/stop technology in company trucks and route optimization software
  • Uses an electronic records system to save paper and reduce field technicians' driving time
  • Safely recycles empty chemical containers and other items beyond the basic recyclables list
  • Educates customers on sustainable pest prevention practices
  • Continually researches and tests new products and practices to find even safer, effective options
  • Organizes annual volunteer opportunities for employees and gives 10% of company profits to charitable causes
Silver Award

Canby Restore Habitat for Humanity Canby Restore Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, appliances, home accessories, building materials and more to the public at a fraction of the retail price. Proceeds are used to help build strength, stability, self-reliance and shelter in local communities and around the world.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Diverts hundreds of tons of material from landfills each year by accepting hard-to-dispose-of items, including new and used furniture, appliances and surplus building materials
  • Partners with local business to use carpet remnants for pack shipping
  • Unplugs small appliances and workstations over night
  • Uses motion sensor lighting
Gold Award Mentor

Commercial Furniture DistributorsCommercial Furniture Distributors

Commercial Furniture Distributors are the northwest's largest wholesale distributor of used and refurbished office furniture. They receive collections of furniture from commercial offices and stock a large inventory at their Wilsonville warehouse, giving their customers – furniture retailers – the ability to offer used merchandise at a discount. Commercial Furniture Distributors also have an in-house repair and refurbish shop that can repaint and reupholster items to make them good as new.

Additional sustainable practices include:

  • Offers environmentally preferable options for refurbished products, such as water-based finishes and glues, as well as upcycled fabrics.
  • Reuses and recycles a wide range of items, including electronics, surplus office supplies, film plastic, polystyrene, and distributors' packing materials.
  • Donates furniture and supplies to local nonprofits and other community organizations.
  • Keeping used office furniture in circulation helps avoid the substantial environmental impacts of manufacturing new items.
Silver Award

Dyke Vandenburgh Jewelers Dyke Vandenburgh Jewelers

Dyke Vandenburgh Jeweler's studio and showroom features a wide selection of Dyke's one-of-a-kind creations and fine quality designer jewelry from around the world. They also offer a variety of services, including laser welding technology, on-site gemologist, diamond and gemstone re-cutting, pearl and bead restringing, expert restoration, appraisals, engraving, and gemstone inlay and lapidary work.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Uses recycled-content precious metals and recycles scrap metals
  • Uses fair-trade gemstones and conflict-free diamonds
  • Recycles a variety of materials beyond the basics, including plastic film
  • Upgraded to energy-efficient lighting
  • Uses certified green cleaners
  • Sponsors various local community projects and events
Silver Award Mentor

Elevate Wealth Advisors Elevate Wealth Advisors

Elevate Wealth Advisors specialize in retirement planning and asset management, with a focus on serving their local community. They incorporated sustainability decisions into an office move in 2016 and continue to evaluate day-to-day operations with sustainability in mind.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Prints double-sided as the default setting from a centralized printer
  • Installed LED lighting
  • Uses durable dishes and silverware in their lunchroom
  • Uses green cleaners
  • Encourage clients to use paperless statement options
  • Supports community events and actively participates in the community
Gold Award Mentor

FCS Group FCS Group

FCS Group provides financial, economic and utility management consulting services to the public sector. They provide analytical solutions to solve complex issues tailored specifically to their own communities. They strive to take care of our built, natural and social environment through internal and external sustainability practices including recycling beyond the basics, supporting low-impact commuting practices, buying recycled-content supplies and using municipal drinking water over bottled water.

Additional sustainable practices:

  • Composts all food scraps
  • Participates in a commuter challenge each year
  • Uses double-sided printing and other paper reduction practices
  • Conducted a waste audit that inspired a switch to centralized garbage and recycling containers
Gold Award Mentor

GeoEngineers GeoEngineers, Inc.

GeoEngineers is an earth science and engineering firm with roots in the Pacific Northwest and a commitment to balancing the needs of the present with long-term planning for the future. GeoEngineers' team strives to bring sustainability to all aspects of their business through reusing project materials when possible, promoting a culture of sustainability and greening their purchasing practices.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Sponsors an annual paid day for employees to volunteer at an organization of their choice and sponsors an annual financial donation match-drive
  • Offers flexibility to telecommute to keep 300+ employees highly connected
  • Recycles batteries, electronics and k-cups, and donates electronics and furniture to local organizations
  • Provides public transportation and biking subsidies to employees, and holds an annual Bike Anywhere Commute Challenge company-wide
  • Contracts with disadvantaged groups through their Inclusive Contracting Group
Silver Award Mentor

Great American Video and Espresso Great American Video & Espresso

Great American Video & Espresso is a family-owned and operated business serving the Milwaukie area since 1983. They offer espresso drinks, ice cream, authentic Mid-Western style frozen custard, which can be difficult to find this side of the Mississippi River. Plus, they still rent movies. They are committed to reducing their environmental impact where they can by recycling, composting, conserving energy and water usage and engaging their staff and customers in their efforts.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Collects coffee grounds and food scraps for compost
  • Provides a discount to customers who bring a reusable coffee mug
  • Upgraded to energy-efficient interior lighting
  • Includes vegan options in their snacks, baked goods, ice cream selection and espresso drinks menu
  • Continually seeks to partner with vendors who offer sustainable or reusable packaging and requests vendors to consider more sustainable packaging
Silver Mentor

live edge salon LiveEdge Eco Salon

LiveEdge Eco Salon is a full service, eco salon and artistry using fair-trade, ethically harvested, organic products. At LiveEdge, the mission is to make people feel beautiful and pampered while leaving the smallest footprint on our planet as possible. LiveEdge prides themselves in recycling or reusing over 95% of their waste, and continues to strive to better the planet. They embrace sustainability in a range of ways, thinking about what products are used and how they are treated after use, and always having the planet and the well-being of guests in mind.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Uses plant-based, ammonia-free and nontoxic products
  • Certified by Green Circle Salons
  • Uses glass or ceramic color bowls and drinking cups/mugs
  • Staff volunteers for environmental-focused programs twice a year
  • Highlights local entrepreneurs and sells Oregon-based products
  • Uses digital systems to reduce paper use whenever possible
Silver Award

Lush Cosmetics Lush Cosmetics

Lush Cosmetics makes fresh, handmade cosmetics with over 200 shops in North America, supplied by two cosmetic kitchens in Vancouver, Canada.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Sustainability is a company-wide priority that is mirrored in their products
  • Companywide initiatives to get employees engaged such as "Weigh the Waste Challenge" and reward systems to promote green habits
  • Use as little packaging as possible; many products have no packaging whatsoever and the others are made with 100% recycled content
  • Recycle black pots through a closed loop process at their in-house recycling center
  • Incentive program for customers to bring back containers to be recycled
  • Purchase green cleaning products
  • Use reusable towels at demo station instead of paper napkins
Gold Award Mentor

Maul Foster and Alongi Maul Foster & Alongi

Maul Foster & Alongi is an employee-owned Pacific Northwest consulting firm providing diverse client types with services for environmental and engineering, planning and development, GIS and data analysis, communications, and health and safety. Sustainability is integrated into the company's core and day-to-day operations.
Featured sustainability actions:

  • Employee "Sustainability Squad" supports green initiatives company-wide and engages with staff to promote sustainability topics
  • Consults on large projects to improve environmental conditions and health impacts
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee advances efforts related to hiring, company culture, business partnerships, giving, volunteering, and more
  • Developed a strategic plan to incorporate and center company goals to strengthen equity, diversity, and inclusion
  • Provides staff eight hours of paid time for volunteer work each year
Gold Award Mentor

OBEC Consulting Engineers OBEC Consulting Engineers 

OBEC is a multi-discipline engineering firm that has provided practical engineering to Pacific Northwest clients since 1966. With six offices across Oregon and Washington, OBEC has enhanced its sustainability practices by adopting a range of policies related to employee education, resource conservation, and green purchasing.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Organized an interoffice sustainability committee that is responsible for developing recommendations for sustainable policies and practices and assisting with their implementation.
  • Adopted firm-wide policies for sustainable practices and purchasing for operations, maintenance and building upgrades.
  • New employee training includes help on sustainability practices, and employees can access a dedicated sustainability page via their intranet.
  • Supports employee participation in a flexible schedule and telecommuting program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption.
  • Organizes quarterly "lunch n' learn" sessions that focus on global and local impacts of climate change and how its sustainable practices impact the environment.

Government, nonprofits and educational institutions

Silver Award

Bridges to Change Bridges to Change

Bridges to Change strengthens individuals and families affected by addiction, mental health, poverty and homelessness. Through a partnership with Clackamas County Community Corrections, mentoring and transitional housing is offered for a variety of populations throughout the county. By incorporating sustainable business practices and policies on economic, environmental, and social levels, Bridges to Change hopes to reduce its global impact while increasing awareness of employees, participants, and partners.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Provides living wages to employees
  • Hires from disadvantaged populations
  • Allows paid volunteer time for employees
Gold Award Mentor

City of West Linn City of West Linn

The City of West Linn serves residents, businesses and the natural environment by pursuing council goals to support a sustainable, healthy environment for all. The city's five main buildings – city hall, the public library, the adult community center, the police station, and operations – all earned Gold or Silver certification thanks to green practices that prevent waste, maximize resources, protect the health of staff and visitors, and build long-term resiliency.
Featured sustainability actions:

  • Receives 100% of its electricity from renewable sources via PGE's Green Future Impact program
  • Follows green purchasing policies for recycled-content materials, energy efficiency, low toxicity and buying local
  • Recycles a wide range of materials beyond the basics at all locations
  • Police station is a LEEDTM Silver green building
  • Develops implementation strategies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts through an interdepartmental employee group
  • Centers resident voices to provide recommendations to City Council on sustainability efforts and related issues through the Sustainability Advisory Board
Gold Award Mentor

Clackamas County Department of Transportation and Development Clackamas County Department of Transportation and Development

The Department of Transportation and Development assists Clackamas County residents and businesses in creating vibrant, sustainable communities through responsive public service. Sustainability efforts help serve the public by minimizing waste, conserving materials responsibly and promoting a healthier shared environment now and for generations.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Saves energy and water through various conservation technologies and practices
  • Collects specialty materials such as batteries, toner cartridges, scrap metals, vehicle fluids and more for recycling
  • Uses certified green cleaners that contribute to healthier spaces for staff and customers
  • Transportation Maintenance staff maintain county roads and bridges for safe driving, keep vehicles operating efficiently, protect wildlife habitat and administer the Adopt-A-Road program to clean up litter along our roadways
  • Development Services Building is LEED Gold certified and features a rooftop solar array
Gold Award Mentor

Water Environment Services Clackamas Water Environment Services 

Clackamas Water Environment Services (WES) protects public health and the environment by collecting and cleaning more than 6 billion gallons of wastewater every year for more than 165,000 customers. WES also recovers energy and nutrients from the waste stream, and protects and improves watershed health through infrastructure development and community engagement. The Surface Water Management program provides water quality protection for the community through programs that reduce pollution in our rivers and wetlands caused by urban storm water runoff.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Upgraded the cogeneration plant at the Tri City Water Resource Recovery to more efficiently generate heat and power and therefore reduce consumption of purchased power. This engine is fueled from methane (biogas) that is produced by the recently expanded anaerobic digester complex, which reduces consumption of purchased natural gas. The cogeneration plant is sized to reducing Tri City's future reliance on purchased electricity and natural gas.
  • Purchases renewable energy certificates (RECs) and subscribes to community solar programs.
  • Participates in PGE's Demand Response Energy Partner program to reduce or shift energy use when demand is high, reduce costs across the grid.
  • Replaced six gas powered vehicles with electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles, and has plans to replace more in the coming years.
  • Plans to install electric charging stations in anticipation of converting the fleet to electric over the next few years.
Gold Award

Coffee Creek Correctional Facility Coffee Creek Correctional Facility

CCCF is a multi-custody prison that accommodates all of Oregon's female inmates. The prison has cell and dormitory housing, inmate work programs, skills training, education, treatment programs, health services, religious services, physical plant, warehouse space for on-site storage, a central records unit and administration areas.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Installed high-efficiency lighting and water fixtures
  • Uses an extensive recycling program, and educates staff and inmates on waste reduction practices
  • Recycles food scraps through on-site vermiculture and municipal composting programs
  • Runs an endangered butterfly rearing program and propagates native plants in protected habitats with help from inmates
  • Saves on food costs with a variety of food waste reduction practices
  • Inmates repair old eyeglasses that are donated to people in need
  • Implements and promotes sustainable practices through Green Team, with help from inmates
Gold Award Mentor

Exceed Enterprises Exceed Enterprises

Exceed Enterprises, founded in 1968, provides training and employment for people with disabilities. Exceed's trained work teams perform a variety of jobs at customer sites around the metro region, including services that help other businesses achieve sustainability goals and recycle more. Many manufacturers rely on Exceed to do light manufacturing, packaging and assembly.

Additional sustainability actions include:

  • Provides vocational and personal development services for people with disabilities
  • Provides services for clients that include repurposing materials, reworking defective products and performing sorting and quality control
  • Uses green cleaners and reusable rags
  • Implemented paper reduction strategies, especially in the Human Resources department
  • Installed automatic lighting throughout production facility
  • Landscapes without chemicals
  • Supports an active Green Team to encourage and educate employees
Silver Award

Friends of Robinwood Station

Robinwood Station, a West Linn Community Center, is improved, managed and operated by the Friends of the Robinwood Station in conjunction with the City of West Linn. A variety of private and community events are held at the Station, and it has become a hub for the community.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Replaced lights with energy efficient T8 fluorescent or LEDs
  • Reuse materials in construction
  • Promote local events
  • Emphasize edible landscaping and native plants
  • Promote zero waste events
Gold Award Mentor

Guide Dogs for the Blind Guide Dogs for the Blind

Guide Dogs for the Blind is a nonprofit that prepares guide dogs and K9 Buddy dogs, provides guide dog readiness skills, and offers youth programs to empower individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Long-term sustainability is essential to successfully delivering GDB's mission and vision over time: Their sustainable actions in day-to-day operations, as well as their core mission, support the Triple Bottom Line by being good for the planet, for people, and for their finances. Their park-like campus in Boring is a welcoming space for clients, volunteers, staff, dogs, and wildlife alike.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • 100% donor- and volunteer-supported nonprofit whose free work empowers clients by improving their mobility and safety
  • Staff green team advances sustainability projects and educates other teammates
  • Uses energy-efficient lighting and heating, and monitors energy use via central controls
  • Follows a wide range of waste reduction and resource conservation practices
  • On-site kitchen staff employ effective food waste prevention practices and offer choices for all dietary needs
Gold Award Mentor

Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest 

Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) Northwest has been responding to local community needs in the northwest for more than 60 years by recruiting, placing and supporting volunteers with organizations dedicated to social and environmental justice and advocacy. Each year, over 150 full-time Jesuit Volunteer AmeriCorps members commit to a year or more of service.

JVC Northwest staff strive to live out and promote ecological justice as a core value in their workplace, and encourage current and former volunteers to engage in eco-friendly practices and care for our common home.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Promotes sustainability efforts within the organization through an Eco-Justice Committee
  • Named one of Oregon Business Magazine's 100 Best Green Companies in Oregon since 2010
  • Participates in the Northwest Earth Institute Eco-Challenge and The Street Trust Bike Challenge
  • Created a procurement policy focused on environmental stewardship
  • Implements an extensive recycling program and paper reduction strategies
Gold Award Mentor

Lake Oswego City Hall

Lake Oswego Church of Christ Lake Oswego's new city hall opened in 2021 and houses several city departments, including the manager's office, police department, council chambers, municipal court and more. Construction followed LEEDTM standards for green building, incorporating materials and design features that save energy, conserve water, maintain healthy indoor air quality, and make ongoing operations more efficient. Policies also keep staff engaged with day-to-day sustainability efforts.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Provides 5-7% of energy onsite with rooftop solar array, with space to add more panels
  • Encourages low-impact transportation by staff and visitors with electric vehicle charging and secure bike parking options
  • Prioritizes energy-efficient electronics, recycled-content office supplies, green cleaners, and office furniture that don't off-gas toxic chemicals using green purchasing policies
  • Recycles food scraps, toner cartridges, batteries, light bulbs, pallets and plastic film
Gold Award Mentor

Lake Oswego United Church of Christ

Lake Oswego Church of Christ Lake Oswego United Church of Christ is an open and affirming, Earthwise and Just Peace congregation that holds a weekly Sunday morning worship as well as ongoing activities for faith education, spiritual growth, and community mission.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Endorses and follows a sustainability policy for employee training, environmentally preferred purchasing and best practices
  • Green Team promotes use of reusable plates and napkins, carpooling, healthy eating habits at church functions and avoiding packing foam
  • Keeps congregation informed of sustainable actions through monthly newsletter
  • Installed insulated windows
  • Manage two acres of wooded land sustainably without use of pesticides
  • Maintain two rain gardens and a bio-swale to filter water run-off from property
Silver Award

Sandy action Center Sandy Community Action Center

The Sandy Community Action Center is a hunger relief agency that serves the residents of the Oregon Trail School District. The Center provides residents food boxes, daily bread and pastries, clothing cards, monthly food baskets and energy assistance.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Compost food scraps that cannot be donated
  • Recycles a variety of materials beyond the basics, including plastic film
  • Use energy efficient lighting inside and out
  • Provide food boxes to households in need
  • Purchase products made of recycled content materials
  • Provide energy assistance through the Heat Oregon program
  • Donate in-kind services to the community

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Babica Hen Café

Gold Award Mentor

Babica Hen Café

Babica Hen Cafe bakes cupcakes, cookies, muffins and pies daily, serves breakfast and lunch made from scratch with Northwest ingredients, and offers event space and catering for special occasions.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Follows a sustainable purchasing policy, including purchasing products made of recycled-content materials
  • Uses native plants for landscaping
  • Uses prepped food for new menu items
  • Donates in-kind services to the community

Cup of Tea

Gold Award Mentor

Cup of Tea

Cup of Tea is a loose-leaf tea house and gift shop that prioritizes environmental stewardship and social responsibility in their daily routines and overall mission. They educate customers and encourage them to participate in eco-friendly behaviors, such as reusing tea transfer bags and using their own cups and containers. They also support local eco-initiatives through their donation programs.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Provides dine-in customers with reusable glassware and flatware
  • Supports environmental and social causes with their Seasonal Tea program
  • Collects used tea leaves for composting by local gardeners
  • Recycles ink cartridges, packing materials, light bulbs, and batteries
  • Inventory sold includes products made from recycled materials
  • Uses energy-efficient lighting

Gubanc'''s Pub

Gold Award Mentor

Gubanc's Pub

Since 1976, Gubanc's Pub has served its guests the best quality food, made from scratch with great care in their kitchen. Gubanc's uses only all-natural, locally raised beef and pork, and source as much possible from the local area.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Follows a sustainable purchasing policy
  • Donates leftover soups to St. Vincent dePaul
  • Purchases products made of recycle content materials
  • Uses prepped food for new menu items
  • Donates in-kind services to their community

Happyrock Coffee Roasting Co

Silver Award

Happyrock Coffee Roasting Co

Happyrock Coffee is a small-batch artisan coffee roaster located in downtown Gladstone. Their beans can be found in restaurants, cafes, grocers, farmers markets and specialty stores.

Featured sustainable actions and activities:

  • Promotes and purchases local products
  • Use energy efficient lighting
  • Reuse product packaging and shipping materials
  • Purchases renewable energy
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Become a Leader in Sustainability

Get Certified

Leaders in SustainablityThe Leaders in Sustainability certification program provides workplaces with guidance and recognition for meaningful achievements in sustainability practices. There are proven benefits of environmental, social and economic advancements (called the triple bottom line) for workplaces of all types and sizes. 

Starting is easy. First, review the eligibility criteria, certification requirements and steps to certification below. Then download the application and get to work!

Leaders in Sustainability Application

See who’s certified on our Green Business Directory.

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Why get certified?

Organizations that go through the Leaders in Sustainability application process take concrete steps to:

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Minimize waste

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Conserve energy and water

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Prevent pollution

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Support staff and
the community

You’ll become part of a network of businesses sharing sustainability solutions and broadening one another’s reach.  By joining, your workplace can:

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Be part of community of leaders with shared values

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Meet sustainability peers; associate your brand with other green companies

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Gain marketing recognition

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Attract and retain the best talent

Promote your certification

Lake Theatre

Certification lasts for 3 years. Certified workplaces receive:

  • a custom plaque
  • a window decal showing your certification level
  • a listing on Clackamas County's Green Business Directory
  • promotion in the County newspaper, our e-newsletter, and other outlets when available
  • resources for the organization's own promotion, including the logo to include on marketing materials, the website, email signatures, etc.

But the best promotion will always be what you do, so shout it from the rooftops! Promote your accomplishment on social media, tell customers and partner organizations about it, and show off your award plaque where people will see it.

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Sustainable Workplaces, Made Easy

Save money, attract new customers, conserve resources and make your business a better, healthier place to work. We can help you find easy—and often overlooked—ways to green your business, find efficiencies and reduce environmental impacts. We help hundreds of businesses each year.

Free services we offer

Explore our free tools and resources

Recyclable bottles

Policy, Training & Leadership

Incorporate sustainability practices into the organizational culture of your workplace and foster continuous improvement. Here you will find tools that encourage long term practices that lead to lasting culture change.

Recycling container

Materials & Waste

Consider how your organization can be doing more by preventing waste, buying green, recycling more and managing hazardous waste. Here you will find answers to those topics.

Programable electronics

Energy & Water Conservation

Our partners will help you upgrade equipment, find incentives and uncover other resources available.

Community engagement

Community Engagement

Sustainability doesn't stop at environmental and economic savings it includes your largest asset, your people. Find additional tools here that help you consider improvements to your social responsibility as well.

Sustainable Best Practices Guide

Next Step: Get Certified

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Meet Sustainability Requirements

Businesses generate over half the waste in our region. Businesses are responsible for meeting local regulations to separate certain materials for recycling and to have identifiable internal bins and educational signs for employees. Food businesses must also minimize plastic waste and in some areas, separate food scraps to be composted. To help you comply with these requirements, we provide free tools and support.

Recycling

Effective 2009, all workplaces — including businesses, schools, public agencies and non-profit organizations—are required to recycle the materials listed below, have internal containers designated for recycling, post signs showing employees what can be recycled, and at least once a year educate employees on the guidelines of what is allowed in the program.

Separate these materials for recycling:

  • Paper and cardboard
  • Plastic bottles, jugs, round tubs and buckets
  • Metal
  • Glass – bottles and jars (collected separately)

Everyone in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties can include the same items in their recycling at work and home. Businesses with dumpster or cart-based garbage service have access to mixed recycling service as part of the fee.

For more information about the requirements, view Clackamas County Code (see Chapter 10.03.145 Business Recycling Requirement).

Recycling guide

Food Waste

Recycling binsFood businesses within the Metro District that dispose of at least 60 gallons of food waste per week must separate that material for collection. This requirement covers all businesses that sell, cook, serve, process, and/or assemble food: restaurants, grocers, manufacturers, hospitality, etc. The covered material includes all waste from fruits, vegetables, meats, breads and grains, dairy, fish and shellfish, nuts, seeds, coffee grounds, and other foods.

 

Food waste

 

The regulation only applies to wasted food handled by employees. Businesses are not required to collect food scraps that have been disposed of directly by customers in front-of-house operations.

Property owners and managers must allow for the collection of food waste by these businesses or help secure the service for lessees that are covered under the requirement.

For more information about the requirements, view Clackamas County Code (see Chapter 10.03.147 Food Waste Requirement) or visit How to Reduce Food Waste.

Statewide Policies

Single-use Plastic Bag Ban

no plastic bagsRetail stores and restaurants are prohibited from providing single-use plastic checkout bags to customers. Businesses may still provide reusable or recycled-content paper bags and must charge a fee for providing the bag.

Paper bags must be made with at least 40% post-consumer recycled fiber. Reusable bags include fabric bags or thick plastic (4 mil or more). The per-bag fee for paper or reusable plastic is 5 cents in Clackamas County, except in Lake Oswego, where it is 10 cents.

Learn more about the statewide single-use bag ban.

Print and hang educational posters to inform and educate customers. 

Single-use Plastic Straws in Food Service Facilities

no strawsEffective January 2020, food service establishments (restaurants, bats, hospitality, etc.) are prohibited from automatically providing plastic, single-use straws. They are to be available by request only. Automatically providing single-use plastic straws to customers is prohibited. Dine-in customers must request plastic straws. Drive-thru and takeout customer can be asked if they need one. Paper or bamboo straws can still be provided automatically.

Polystyrene Foam and PFAS Container Ban

Oregon is foam-free starting 2025!

In 2023, Oregon adopted SB 543 that bans the use and sale of polystyrene foam containers and containers with intentionally added PFAS for prepared foods. It also bans the sale of foam packing peanuts and single-use foam coolers.

Please refer directly to the bill or the Department of Environmental Quality for more details and definitions.

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Free Assistance

We’re here to help you meet and maintain compliance. Every year we provide hundreds of workplaces with free tools and support to make recycling easier for their employees. We offer the following at no charge:

  • Virtual consultations and customized assistance
  • Virtual presentations and staff trainings
  • Customized posters and educational flyers
  • Curbside delivery of resources
  • Help navigating waste options and service with your franchised waste hauler

Beyond Recycling to Sustainability

We also help workplaces go beyond basic recycling to reduce waste, operate more efficiently and receive recognition for their sustainability efforts. Contact us today!

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Garbage and Recycling Transfer Stations and Depots

There are several locations within Clackamas County where you can take your garbage, recycling, household hazardous waste and yard debris. Make sure to call locations ahead to confirm hours and materials accepted.

Large appliances, furniture, and other items can be picked up by the garbage and recycling company, even if you are not a regular customer. Call your franchised garbage and recycling company for a quote and arrange a pickup time.

Find a Disposal Location

Metro logoUnsure where to properly dispose of an item? Search using the Metro Find a Recycler tool or call 503-234-3000.

Transfer Stations

Construction, demolition or remodeling debris? The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality requires asbestos testing and documentation before disposal of construction, demolition and remodeling debris. Transfer stations will not accept suspect asbestos-containing materials without documentation.

Recycling, salvaging, and reusing construction debris can reduce disposal costs and save resources.

Facilities may close during extreme weather events.

19600 SE Canyon Valley Road
Sandy, OR map
503-260-1577

Hours:
Thursday – Monday: 9 a.m. to last load 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday: Closed
Thanksgiving - closed
Christmas Eve - closed at 1 p.m. 
Christmas - closed
New Year's Eve - closed at 1 p.m. 
New Year's Day - closed

2001 Washington St.
Oregon City, OR map
503-234-3000

Hours:
Mar. 1 – Sep. 30, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Oct. 1 – Feb. 28, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s

17827 Whitney Lane NE
Woodburn, OR map
503-588-5169

Hours:
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Visit their website for holiday closures

A Marion County facility

Household Hazardous Waste Facility

Facility may close during extreme heat events.

2001 Washington St.
Oregon City, OR 97045 map
503-234-3000

Hours:
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s.

Yard Waste Facilities

Always check with the location to confirm accepted items and pricing.

Recycling Depots

These locations accept various materials for recycling, including some not accepted in your curbside recycling bin. Always check with the location to confirm accepted items and pricing.

Clackamas County Garbage & Recycling Transfer Station
19600 SE Canyon Valley Road
Sandy, OR  map
503-260-1577
Metro South Transfer Station & Household Hazardous Waste Facility
2001 Washington St.
Oregon City, OR map
503-234-3000
K.B. Recycling (Clackamas location)
9602 SE Clackamas Road
Clackamas, OR map
503-659-7004
K.B. Recycling (Canby location)
1600 SE 4th Ave.
Canby, OR map
503-266-7903
R.S. Davis Recycling Inc.
10105 SE Mather Road
Clackamas, OR map
503-655-5433
Universal Recycling Technologies
10151 SE Jennifer St.
Clackamas, OR map
503-772-2236
Willamette Resources, Inc.
10295 SE Ridder Road
Wilsonville, OR 970170 map
503-570-0626

Reuse and Donation

Buying, selling, and donating good-condition items is a great way to save money and minimize waste.

Find more information and locations near you.

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Garbage and Recycling Enclosures

We are happy to aid in the development of refuse and recycling enclosure(s) that meets our standards, including the size and placement. We can connect you with the solid waste collector in your area and are glad to share sample plans. Please contact us at 503-557-6363 or wasteinfo@clackamas.us to discuss your site’s needs and limitations before you spend time and money on detailed drawings.

Process

See Zoning and Development Ordinance (ZDO), Section 1021

Step 1: Design review pre-application meeting
In this informal discussion, county staff (including a Sustainability & Solid Waste staff member) and appropriate service providers (e.g., water, fire, sanitary sewer, surface water) provide information and requirements to help applicants fine-tune their project plans.

Step 2: Make updates
If the project goes forward and is deemed feasible by county staff and the Design Review Committee, the next step for the applicant is to revise the site plan to meet any conditions of approval. Typically, one of the conditions will be to "meet the requirements relative to refuse and recycling enclosure(s)" and get a "sign off" from Sustainability & Solid Waste staff.

Timing

It is important to communicate early in the design process since a failure to meet ZDO Section 1021 can delay the issuance of a final Certificate of Occupancy. Failure to meet the requirement also may result in a request to rebuild the enclosure.

Basic Requirements

  • Size and access
    Developers must consider the size of containers and receptacles that will be required, and service vehicle accessibility to the enclosure.
    Service trucks are usually large (approximately the size of fire trucks) and they make frequent trips. A service truck must be able to get to the enclosure, pick up the appropriate containers (without requiring staff to move all the containers and receptacles) and leave the site with a minimum of backing up. (Clackamas County Zoning and Development Ordinance (ZDO) Section 1021 provides details.)
  • Building materials
    Masonry, brick, or chain link and slats -- there is a variety from which to choose. The idea is to eliminate or reduce the visual impact of the containers.
  • Pad
    The enclosure pad must be Portland cement concrete and poured on level ground. Concrete can hold more weight and take more abuse than asphalt.
  • Gates, bumpers and "no parking" signs
    Gates must open fully and be free of obstructions. Gate doors must be able to be locked in the open position. Interior bumpers protect the enclosure from container impacts. "No parking" signs and striped curbs help keep the enclosure accessible to collection vehicles.

What to Avoid

  • Inadequate size
    If the enclosure is too small, people tend to leave bins outside, which is not allowed. If the containers are jammed inside a small enclosure, it is very difficult for collection staff to remove them for trash and recycling collection.
    A larger enclosure provides room to store more recyclable materials. Because unlimited recycling is free with trash service, this can save a great deal of money.
  • Poor siting
    An enclosure at the end of an alley or in a place without adequate maneuvering room for service vehicles creates a dangerous situation for collection staff, as well as for vehicles and pedestrians. Typically there is no other person aboard a garbage truck to guide the driver out of a narrow driveway or around a blind corner.
  • Inadequate gates
    The gates need to be large enough to pull a container straight out. For most commercial structures, this means an 8-foot wide opening. Gates that do not lock in the open position can swing shut.
  • Inadequate pad
    A Portland cement concrete pad minimizes damage caused by the containers. It should be level and well-drained. It is difficult to move heavy containers over gravel, mud or rutted asphalt. The percent of grade for access to the pad shall not exceed 3%.
  • Failure to post no parking signs
    Garbage and recycling trucks typically arrive early in the morning, but this is not always the case. Personnel changes and holidays can change a collection schedule. If other vehicles are parked in the way it may be impossible to collect the trash or recycling.
  • No bumpers
    Bumpers on the ground in the interior of the enclosure protect it from the impacts of the heavy containers.

Waste Prevention Assistance for Businesses

Clackamas County provides free technical assistance to businesses on how to reduce waste, reuse materials and recycle unneeded materials. Businesses will receive free desk side recycling boxes and learn how to set up an efficient inside program that enhances the use of the outdoor enclosure. Call 503-557-6363 for a free consultation

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Recycling enclosure Enclosures do not have to be unsightly. This enclosure was designed to complement a new commercial office building.
Recycling enclosure Another large, well-designed enclosure, this includes a smaller service door. It encourages employees and janitorial staff to put materials inside the enclosure because they do not have to open the heavier gates.
Recycling enclosure Built with the same cedar siding as the professional office building, this spacious enclosure looks good and works well. Posts provide extra protection.
Recycling enclosure Using design elements from the main building, this enclosure sits in the middle of a parking lot. Service vehicles have good access to it.
Recycling enclosure This large enclosure uses design elements from the new municipal building.
Recycling enclosure An example of a chain link and slat enclosure.
Recycling enclosure Too small for a group of strip mall tenants, this enclosure has been damaged. Tenants leave trash outside, creating an unsightly and potentially rat-infested area. Furthermore, it is not conducive to recycling.
Recycling enclosure Small and unsightly, this enclosure does not meet the needs of this multifamily dwelling.
Recycling enclosure Approved before ZDO Section 1021 - this shopping mall places containers in full view of the street. It is unsightly for the residential development across the street, it promotes illegal dumping, and is prone to contamination of recyclables.
Recycling enclosure Don't try this at home! The collector is pulling out a 1,200 pound container that could have been picked up mechanically if the enclosure had been well designed.
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Repair Fairs

Free community events that bring volunteers with fixing skills and people with broken items together.

Experienced fixers will attempt to repair or mend your items and may teach you how to fix them yourself. There are no guarantees for a repair. Some items are more difficult to repair, can take longer than we have time for at the event, or even break more during a repair attempt. Fixers can diagnose an issue and offer their best, unbiased advice. Our repair rate is over 75%. Some replacement parts may be available.

What to Bring

Clothing, textiles, bicycles, small electronics and home appliances. We also do minor jewelry repair, and sometimes we have someone to sharpen knives and tools. Only bring items small enough to be easily carried by one person, and do not bring any items that are leaking, dangerous, dirty or have a strong odor. We do not do clothing alternations. All clothing must be clean. Repairers can turn down any items that do not meet these guidelines.

A maximum of one broken item per person will be examined at a time. After each item is examined/repaired, you must return to the registration table to be matched with another fixer volunteer for a second item.

Repair Fair Schedule

Find upcoming repair fairs below. Additional events will be added as they are scheduled.

Become a Repair Fair Volunteer

Repair fair volunteer inspects electric lampWe are only limited in what we can fix by the skills of our volunteers. If you have repair skills and want to be involved, contact wasteinfo@clackamas.us or 503-557-6363.

Host a Repair Fair in your community

We can provide assistance for your event and guide you along the way. Contact wasteinfo@clackamas.us or 503-557-6363.

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Green Cleaners Workshop

A greener, cleaner home

We offer a Green Cleaners Workshop for groups within Clackamas County interested in how to make their own, less toxic, more economical, cleaning products for their home.

Benefits to cleaning with green cleaners:

  • Less expensive
  • You know exactly what's in it
  • Better air quality
  • Safer products
  • Better for the environment
  • Fewer antibacterials

How to get a free Green Cleaners Workshop for your community group

We offer the Green Cleaners Workshop for groups of fifteen to twenty. This could be a neighborhood association, garden club, religious group, or other community group. Children, accompanied by their parents, are welcome to participate as well.

Participants will get to make, and take home, the beginnings of your own green cleaner kit. This includes an all-purpose cleaner, window cleaner, soft scrub, bucket, microfiber cleaning cloth, and a green cleaner recipe booklet.

To schedule a Green Cleaners Workshop for your community group, call 503-742-4463 or email sustainability@clackamas.us.

Don't have enough people for a workshop, but want to learn more? Visit Metro's webpage on how to make green cleaners.

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