There are many sights and stories we see and hear about in Portland and simply shrug our shoulders. If you are a long term resident then you may think something you glanced at was a little strange, but nothing is really that shocking once you’ve passed a decade living in the city.

However, the image below (taken from the Sunnyside neighbourhood newsletter) did actually shock me a little. Not only was it offensive, but is was very militant on recycling even for Portland standards.

The excerpt shows that a man from Dallas had recently moved to Portland and thrown his lunch waste in the trash. After he returned from his break, he found a co-worker had separated his trash on to the shops counter and told him that even though his mother had just died, this was not an excuse not to recycle!

Is this the most Portland thing you have ever seen? It’s definitely up there for me.

The Culture Of Recycling In Portland

Portland has a reputation for being one of the most environmentally conscious cities in the United States, and its recycling program is a big part of that. The city has a goal of achieving a 75% recycling rate by 2025, which is one of the most ambitious recycling goals in the country.

In Portland, residents are encouraged to recycle as much as possible, and the city offers curbside recycling collection for a wide variety of materials, including paper, cardboard, glass, plastic bottles and containers, and metal cans. In addition, the city offers free drop-off locations for hard-to-recycle items such as electronics, batteries, and fluorescent light bulbs.

To help residents understand how to properly recycle, the city provides detailed information on its website about what can and cannot be recycled, as well as tips for reducing waste and conserving resources.

Portland also has a strong composting program, which allows residents to dispose of food scraps, yard waste, and other organic materials in a separate bin that is collected and turned into nutrient-rich compost for use in gardens and landscaping.

Overall, recycling and sustainability are deeply ingrained in Portland’s culture, and the city has made significant strides in reducing waste and preserving its natural resources.