Last fall, Portland, Ore., decreased trash pickups and increased pickup of compostable waste. Shown, RenĂ©e Johnson, community outreach coordinator for the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, talked to resident Scott Adkins, who said he had to pay for a larger trash container…
Last fall, Portland, Ore., decreased trash pickups and increased pickup of compostable waste. Shown, Renée Johnson, community outreach coordinator for the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, talked to resident Scott Adkins, who said he had to pay for a larger trash container now that trash is picked up every other week.
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Ms. Johnson visited a neighborhood to explain the new compost policy and see how residents are responding.
Ms. Johnson visited a neighborhood to explain the new compost policy and see how residents are responding.
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Mike Perkins, driver for Heiberg Garbage & Recycling, followed his normal route in Portland, picking up compost but not trash. 'In the beginning it was like a shock,' he said of the policy.
Mike Perkins, driver for Heiberg Garbage & Recycling, followed his normal route in Portland, picking up compost but not trash. 'In the beginning it was like a shock,' he said of the policy.
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At first when weekly pickups ended, nearly half the customers on Mr. Perkins' route purchased larger trash bins. Since then many of those jumbo carts have rolled back to Heiberg's warehouse as residents have learned to compost more and put less in the trash.
At first when weekly pickups ended, nearly half the customers on Mr. Perkins' route purchased larger trash bins. Since then many of those jumbo carts have rolled back to Heiberg's warehouse as residents have learned to compost more and put less in the trash.
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A truck deposited compost at the Metro Central transfer station in Portland. In the first quarter of 2012, Portland collected just under 13,000 tons of residential garbage, down from 23,000 tons during the year-before period.
A truck deposited compost at the Metro Central transfer station in Portland. In the first quarter of 2012, Portland collected just under 13,000 tons of residential garbage, down from 23,000 tons during the year-before period.
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To help residents save compostable items, Portland opened a phone line to offer advice and fielded nearly 2,000 calls a month. Nuances emerged: Pizza boxes are compostable (acids in grease and tomato-sauce residue break down cellulose). So are cardboard egg cartons.
To help residents save compostable items, Portland opened a phone line to offer advice and fielded nearly 2,000 calls a month. Nuances emerged: Pizza boxes are compostable (acids in grease and tomato-sauce residue break down cellulose). So are cardboard egg cartons.
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Sorters Cliff Marriott, left, and Karen Brinton picked plastic and other non-biodegrable material out of the compost at a transfer station. Some 1,950 tons of compostable material moves weekly along a conveyor belt to weed out contaminants. After plastic bags, the most common…
Sorters Cliff Marriott, left, and Karen Brinton picked plastic and other non-biodegrable material out of the compost at a transfer station. Some 1,950 tons of compostable material moves weekly along a conveyor belt to weed out contaminants. After plastic bags, the most common finds are flatware and garden tools.
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Falconer and bird abatement specialist Chris Fox works with a hawk named Cletus to patrol the Metro Central transfer station.
Falconer and bird abatement specialist Chris Fox works with a hawk named Cletus to patrol the Metro Central transfer station.
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Hawks and falcons act as deterrents to gulls, crows and pigeons at the transfer station.
Hawks and falcons act as deterrents to gulls, crows and pigeons at the transfer station.
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The rotting-food-and-garden waste mixture arrives at two Portland collection centers. From the transit centers, the green waste goes to a composting yard run by San Francisco-based Recology in the suburbs, shown here.
The rotting-food-and-garden waste mixture arrives at two Portland collection centers. From the transit centers, the green waste goes to a composting yard run by San Francisco-based Recology in the suburbs, shown here.
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The compost bakes under tarps as microbes turn the organic waste into a spongy, black loam for area growers.
The compost bakes under tarps as microbes turn the organic waste into a spongy, black loam for area growers.
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Operations manager Jon Thomas displayed some of the final product, which is sold commercially.
Operations manager Jon Thomas displayed some of the final product, which is sold commercially.
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