April 24, 2024 update
Metro held a 30-day public comment period on a new solid waste facility license application for Ridwell, Inc. from March 14 to April 12, 2024. Metro received 22 comments during the comment period. Metro issued a new solid waste facility license to Ridwell, Inc. that became effective on April 24, 2024 and will expire on December 31, 2028. The license, staff report and comments received are now available.
Name and location:
Ridwell Portland Warehouse
8933 NE Marx Dr., Suite C, Portland, Ore.
Description of facility and application
Ridwell, Inc. applied for a new Metro solid waste facility license to operate a material recovery facility that will receive recyclable and reusable materials for sorting, consolidation, and transport to recycling and reuse markets. Ridwell collects the materials as part of its subscription-based residential collection service. Ridwell currently operates an existing Metro-licensed material recovery facility (solid waste facility license No. L-196-22) that is moving to a new location and must obtain a new Metro license prior to operating.
Ridwell’s current facility is authorized to accept source-separated recyclable materials such as multi-layer plastic, plastic film, batteries, light bulbs, clothing, plastic clamshell takeout containers, expanded polystyrene (e.g. Styrofoam™), water-based paint and reusable items. At the facility, Ridwell screens for unacceptable items and consolidates the materials. The consolidated materials are transported to recycling and reuse partners. Any residual waste that cannot be recycled or reused is disposed of through standard garbage collection service at the facility. Ridwell has not proposed any changes to its current operation.
The property is zoned General Employment 2 (EG2), and the proposed use is allowed outright in this zone by the City of Portland. The facility also applied for a new Solid Waste Disposal Site Permit as required by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
A copy of the license application is available at the link below. Metro will respond to the comments received during the public comment period as part of a staff report and will post the report to this page when available. If the application is approved, Metro will issue a new license authorizing the facility to conduct the solid waste activities as described above. Metro may add additional requirements to the license based on the comments received. A standard Metro license generally has a term of five years.
Metro is responsible for the regulatory oversight of facilities like Ridwell that receive, sort and consolidate recyclable materials. Local jurisdictions are responsible for regulating collection services, like the subscription service provided by Ridwell, which are separate from the proposed activities under this license application.