Food Scraps Separation

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 is used to create compost or renewable energy.

Get started

1. Set up compost service with your hauler. The hauler will provide the external roll cart or dumpster that will be serviced weekly.

•  Twelve-Mile Disposal Services  503-661-0255 

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

Contact Anastasia Olvera at 503-674-6210 to connect with technical resources and assistance:

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

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

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.

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.  

• A covered business that does not comply with the business food waste requirement may receive a written notice of noncompliance. The notice of noncompliance will describe the violation, provide the covered business an opportunity to cure the violation within the time specified in the notice, and offer assistance with compliance. 
• A covered business that does not cure a violation within the time specified in the notice of noncompliance may receive a written citation. The citation will provide an additional opportunity to cure the violation within the time specified in the citation and will notify the covered business that it may be subject to a fine.
• A covered business that does not cure a violation within the time specified in the citation may be subject to a fine per FMC 1.01.090.