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Environmental Services

Food Scraps

  • In 2023, food-generating businesses with on-site food preparation or service will be required to separate food scraps from other waste. This regional effort keeps food out of the landfill and turns it into renewable energy and nutrient-rich fertilizer for farms. 

    Get started

    1. Set up compost service with your hauler.

    There is no extra fee. Compost service is now included with regular garbage service. Contact your hauler to order a compost roll cart for food scraps. Find your hauler

    2. Order free food scrap containers, signs and training. 

    Contact our Green Business staff at 503-618-2206 or at GreenBiz@GreshamOregon.gov to place your order. The City will provide:

    • Free on-site consultation to help you start a food scraps collection program. 
    • Free staff training. 
    • Free indoor collection containers, posters and stickers. 

    We can help connect you with food donation centers for excess, edible food. 

    3. Start separating your food scraps for collection. 

    The business food scraps requirement is subject to penalty in 2023. Preparing in advance will help you save money and comply with new waste reduction rules. 

    • Timeline
    • Notification
    • Enforcement
    • Background
    • Resources
    Timeline

    Start dates are based on businesses’ estimated volume of weekly food scraps. Businesses with the largest amounts of food waste will be required to comply first. Businesses must start composting by these dates.

    March 31, 2023

    • For businesses producing 1,000 pounds of food scraps or more per week.
    • 1,000 pounds is about four full 60-gallon compost roll carts.  

    September 30, 2023

    • For businesses producing 500 pounds of food scraps or more per week.
    • 500 pounds is about two full 60-gallon compost roll carts. 

    September 30, 2024

    • For businesses producing 250 pounds of food scraps or more per week.  
    • 250 pounds is about one full 60-gallon compost roll cart.

    Customer food scraps

    This does not apply to public or customer-facing areas of your business. Food prep waste and plate scraping handled by employees go in the provided compost bin. 

    Notification
    • The City will mail notification to all businesses that meet the food scrap requirement criteria.
    • City staff will conduct on-site visits to distribute information and provide training.
    • Qualifying businesses (with 1,000 pounds or more of food waste) are required to compost food by March 31, 2023. Penalties will be charged for noncompliance. 
    Enforcement

    Food-generating businesses are required to comply with the food scrap requirement. In 2023, businesses that do not comply will be subject to enforcement action.  

    1. The City will provide written notice to the business. The notice will include the nature of the violation and the steps needed to avoid additional enforcement actions. The City will offer support or training.
    2. The business will have 14 days to take corrective action.  
    3. If a violation is not corrected within the time specified in the notice of noncompliance, the City may issue a citation or civil penalty. Gresham Revised Code (Section 7.50.500)

    Waiver 

    A 12-month waiver may be submitted for review. Waiver considerations include physical barriers, unreasonable capital expense, or violation of other government rules that impact a business’s ability to implement the policy. 

    Contact Gresham Green Business staff at at 503-618-2206 or GreenBiz@GreshamOregon.gov. 

         

        Background

        Metro passed an ordinance in 2019 requiring food-generating businesses region-wide, including Gresham, to reduce food waste. Food is the largest form of waste at landfills and creates harmful gases that contribute to climate change.  

        Benefits of composting food waste: 

        • Food businesses can save money by reducing waste that goes to a landfill.
        • Food waste can be turned into renewable energy and nutrient-rich fertilizer for farms. 
        • Reduces greenhouse gas emissions at landfills.  
        Resources

        Metro resources 

        Video resources

        Find out how other businesses are implementing sustainable practices. 

        Related programs and services 

        • Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG): Food service businesses use grease removal devices to separate FOG from their wastewater. Keeping FOG out of the sewer system helps avoid dangerous sewage spills and costly cleaning. 
        • The Small Business Center provides resources, guidance and step-by-step assistance through the permitting/licensing process. 
        • City of Gresham Business Services 
        • Food Only
        • Food Scraps Containers

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        • The program is for food only. Compost: meat, dairy, fish, bread, pasta, coffee grounds, peels, shells, bones, spoiled food, and plate scrapings.  

        • The Gresham Green Business team is here to help. We offer free signs, containers and training.  Email GreenBiz@GreshamOregon.gov for assistance.