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Green Business Leaders

GBL AssistanceWe're here to help your business become more sustainable. Through the Green Business Leaders service, your business will receive:

  • Fresh ideas for engaging employees on waste prevention, recycling and composting.
  • Free supplies, such as recycling and composting bins, bags and signs.
  • Assistance setting up new or improved recycling and composting systems.
  • Staff training.
  • Access to a Green Business Advisor, an expert coach dedicated to helping you meet your environmental goals.

Need help going green?

Our Green Business Advisors are ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work making your business more sustainable. Simply complete the form below and we'll pair you with a coach in no time.

Questions? Contact us at 503-846-3605 or recycle@co.washington.or.us.


Organization name *
Address *
ZIP code *
Your name *
Your title
Email address
Phone number *
Number of employees
I am interested in...  A free site visit to discuss sustainability practices and how to further them

 Applying for the Green Business Award

 Educational materials, such as posters and decals

 A staff presentation
How did you hear about Green Business Leaders?  Metro

 Worked with Green Business Leaders in the past

 A Green Business Advisor visited my business

 "Food Waste Stops With Me"

 Recommendation from a friend or colleague

 Business Bulletin e-newsletter

 Internet search

 Social media

 Postcard in the mail

 Other (please explain below)
Leave this field empty

Recycle at WorkKeep it Simple

We make it easy to recycle at work! Recycling saves natural resources, prevents pollution and helps build a stronger economy. Businesses in Washington County are required to recycle because they play a critical role in reducing the amount of material we throw out.

  • Check out our resources below to download and print your own recycling posters.
  • Contact us to request recycling training for employees, assistance setting up recycling and waste reduction systems, and free resources, like printed posters and labels for bins.
  • Find out where to recycle items like electronics, batteries, light bulbs and bulky items by using our What to Recycle and Where? tool.
  • Learn more about the recycling requirements for your business.

Reduce food waste

Reduce food wasteFood is greater than garbage! Simply tossing out food is a major missed opportunity. There are enormous environmental and economic benefits if we handle our food waste and leftovers a little differently.

Prevent. Stopping food waste before it begins has the greatest impact, because the majority of food's environmental footprint is created before it even reaches your kitchen. While you know your operations best, Washington County can help conduct a waste assessment to show you how much food ends up in the garbage. Read about how your peers prevent food waste.

Donate. Donating food in any amount helps your business waste less while supporting community members in need. Over 64,000 people in Washington County are food insecure, meaning they don't know where their next meal is coming from. We can connect you with a food donation recipient and set up a simple food rescue program.

Compost. By separating food scraps for composting instead of putting them in the garbage, your business saves a valuable resource from going to waste. Food scraps collected from Washington County restaurants, grocery stores and other food businesses are turned into renewable energy to power homes and businesses, and compost for local gardens and farms. Learn more about how food scraps collection works in Washington County.

Request assistance today and you will be paired with a Green Business Advisor who can provide free tools and help you set up systems that are effective at reducing food waste.

Green Business Award

Green Business AwardYou've done the work to make your business more sustainable. Now get the recognition you deserve by becoming a certified Green Business Leader!

Simply download and complete the application for either food service sector or office/retail sector. We'll follow up with a site visit to verify the information you provided, and then you'll receive your award and can start spreading the word! Looking for more sustainability inspiration? Download the list of additional practices your business can receive points for when applying.

Check out the growing list of businesses that are committed to a healthy, sustainable Washington County.

Certification benefits

 SilverGold
Use of the award logo in your marketing materials Silver Check Mark Gold Checkmark
A window decal Silver Check Mark Gold Checkmark
Social media announcement by Solid Waste & Recycling Silver Check Mark Gold Checkmark
Listing in our online Green Business Directory Silver Check Mark Gold Checkmark
Listing in our annual newspaper advertisement Silver Check Mark Gold Checkmark
Engraved plaque made in Oregon by Resource Revival Silver Check Mark Gold Checkmark
Press release template for your company to customize and send Silver Check Mark 
Custom press release sent out by Washington County Health and Human Services  Gold Checkmark

 

Green business resources

Newsletter

Recycling

Food waste prevention

  • Food Waste Reduction Alliance - A collaborative effort of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, Food Marketing Institute and National Restaurant Association
  • Further With Food - Online hub developed by U.S. EPA, USDA and 10 other partners.
  • Hotel Kitchen - Food waste prevention toolkit from the World Wildlife Fund and the American Hotel and Lodging Association
  • ConServe - The National Restaurant Association's sustainability training program

Food donation

Food scraps collection

Waste prevention

Waste audits

Green Business Award

In search of something you're not finding here? Your Green Business Advisor can help you find what you're looking for! Complete the assistance request form above.