Food Scraps

Metro passed an ordinance in 2019 requiring food-generating businesses region-wide, including Gresham, to reduce food waste. Food is the largest form of waste at landfills and creates harmful gases that contribute to climate change.  

Benefits of composting food waste: 

• Food businesses can save money by reducing waste that goes to landfill.
• Food waste can be turned into renewable energy and nutrient-rich fertilizers for farms. 
• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions at landfills.  

The follow recommendations reflect the businesses’ estimated volume of weekly food scraps.

1,000 pounds of food scraps or more per week

• Approximately four full 60-gallon compost roll carts.  

500 pounds of food scraps or more per week

• Approximately two full 60-gallon compost roll carts. 

250 pounds of food scraps or more per week

• Approximately one full 60-gallon compost roll cart.

Customer food scraps

Businesses are not required to collect food scraps from public or customer-facing areas. Food prep waste and plate scrapings handled by employees go in the compost bin provided. 

• New food-generating businesses will be notified when applying for a business license to comply with the food scrap requirement.
• The City has notified all businesses meeting the food scrap requirement criteria. If your business has not been notified, contact our Green Business staff at 503-618-2206 or GreenBiz@GreshamOregon.gov to let us know and we can help you.
• City staff have conducted on-site visits to distribute information and provide training.
• Qualifying businesses (with 250 pounds or more of food waste) must compost food. Penalties will be charged for noncompliance. 

Food-generating businesses are required to comply with the food scrap requirement. This is a permanent requirement, so if your business is already participating expect verification visits from the Gresham Green Business team. Starting in 2025, businesses that do not comply will be subject to enforcement action, including businesses that stop collecting food scraps without getting a waiver from the City.

1. The City will provide written notice to the business. The notice will include the nature of the violation and the steps needed to avoid additional enforcement actions. The City will offer support or training.
2. The business will have 14 days to take corrective action.  
3. If a violation is not corrected within the time specified in the notice of noncompliance, the City may issue a citation or civil penalty. Gresham Revised Code (Section 7.50.500)

Waiver

A 12-month waiver may be submitted for review. Waiver considerations include physical barriers, unreasonable capital expense, or violation of other government rules that impact a business’s ability to implement the policy.

• Phase 1 waiver
• Phase 2 waiver
• Phase 3 waiver

Contact Gresham Green Business staff at 503-618-2518 or GreenBiz@GreshamOregon.gov.

Metro resources 

• Food scraps separation policy
• Frequently asked questions
• Preventing food waste
• Donating food

Video resources

Find out how other businesses are implementing sustainable practices. 

• Food scraps and recycling training video
  • Vídeo de formación sobre restos de comida y reciclaje Español
• Building a sustainable composting program
• Business compost tips

City of Gresham related programs and services 

• Climate Action: The Climate Action Plan (CAP) is a set of strategies that guide the City and community as we work together to protect our environment and respond to the impacts of climate change. Reducing food waste in homes and businesses reduces climate warming emissions and is part of Solid Waste and Consumption section of the CAP.  
• Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG): Food service businesses use grease removal devices to separate FOG from their wastewater. Keeping FOG out of the sewer system helps avoid dangerous sewage spills and costly cleaning. 
• The Small Business Center provides resources, guidance and step-by-step assistance through the permitting/licensing process. 
• City of Gresham Business Services.
• Restaurants and grocery stores can save money by choosing reusable serviceware. Get involved in the Choose to Reuse program.

• We are diverting up to 1,000 tons* of food scraps from the landfill every quarter. *Based on our Q4 FY 24-25 food scraps report from Metro

• Up to 5% of businesses participating in the food scraps program have a food donation program.
• Up to 3% of businesses participating in the food scraps program have an agricultural donation program.