In 2019, Metro Council adopted the 2030 Regional Waste Plan, an exciting and ambitious blueprint for how our region plans for and manages the impacts of the products we buy, use and throw away.
Metro created the plan in partnership with cities, counties, businesses and community leaders in the greater Portland area. Metro also collaborated with members of community-based organizations who historically have had the least influence in decision-making. The resulting plan centers racial equity, collaboration and partnership.
Four years into implementing the 10-year Regional Waste Plan, more than half of the actions in the plan are in process and on track to reaching their goals. This includes two-thirds of the 55 actions relating to waste prevention, reuse and recycling and the 39 actions focused directly on advancing equity.
While Metro and partners have made great progress in several goals, reaching our waste reduction goals is a work in progress and we have more work to do. We are at a pivotal moment where continued investment is needed to achieve the visionary work of the plan.
From 2019 to the present day, our collective efforts have improved livability throughout the region. Results of these improvements can be seen within three strategic target areas:
- Waste Prevention and healthy environment
- An excellent, accessible and resilient garbage and recycling system
- Shared prosperity
Learn more about the successes and challenges we experienced in 2022 as Metro and partners worked to implement the 2030 Regional Waste Plan.