Sustainability at Work

THANK YOU for partnering with us!

Since 2007, the Sustainability at Work program has existed to support you in making your organization more sustainable, through actions large and small.

We’ve enjoyed getting to work with you and your peers in the large community of workplace sustainability champions throughout Portland. And we’ve been proud to recognize hundreds of organizations with Sustainability at Work certification.

We look forward to seeing your good work continue at your workplace and in the community, and please reach out if we can help you with your recycling, compost, or waste reduction efforts!

Sustainability at Work program changes: July 2021 The Sustainability at Work program and certification has been retired as of July, 2021. However, green business tips and resources are still available on the website, and program staff are still available to help Portland organizations with recycling, compost, and waste reduction.

While we will no longer offer certification or sustainability assessments, we will continue to provide in-depth assistance around recycling, compost, and waste reduction.

Our focus moving forward is to help restaurants, grocery stores, and other food businesses compost and reduce food waste, which will help the city reach its climate goals.

We will also expand our efforts to ensure all businesses in Portland understand their responsibility to recycle and the resources available to help them recycle and reduce waste.

Recycling at businesses Find out how to set up garbage, recycling, and compost at your business; what’s required by the City; and how to make it easy for staff to recycle, compost, and reduce waste.

We've put together a list of resources to help make your workplace more sustainable, as well as organizations that bring together businesses and individuals with a shared interest in sustainability:

Local green business resources and groups Portland has a wealth of resources to help you green your organization and connect with other sustainability-minded peers.

While we will no longer offer full sustainability assessments covering energy, water, and transportation, you’re welcome to contact us with questions and we'll connect you with other organizations for assistance.

We've also put together these checklists of sustainability best practices for offices, restaurants, and retail:
https://www.portland.gov/sustainabilityatwork/green-business-guides

We will continue to offer assistance around recycling, compost, and waste prevention - please don't hesitate to reach out!

Green business checklists Green business practices for offices, restaurants and retail stores, including recycling, reducing waste, water and energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation.

While we will no longer be offering Sustainability at Work certification, current certifications remain valid through 2023 and the Green Business Directory of certified businesses will remain on our website through 2023.
https://www.portland.gov/sustainabilityatwork/green-business-directory

We’ve also compiled a list of other sustainability certifications to consider as you move your sustainability efforts forward.
https://www.portland.gov/sustainabilityatwork/green-business-certification-1

Green business directory Sustainability at Work certified organizations walk the talk of green business, from recycling and reducing energy to bike commuting and community giving. (Note: We are not currently certifying new businesses.)

Program announcement: With the significant challenges of 2020 and the evolving needs of Portland businesses, the City has decided to sunset the Sustainability at Work program.

Program staff will still offer recycling, compost, and waste prevention assistance, and you'll find new DIY workplace sustainability resources on our website.

Read the full announcement here:

Sustainability at Work program changes: July 2021 The Sustainability at Work program and certification has been retired as of July, 2021. However, green business tips and resources are still available on the website, and program staff are still available to help Portland organizations with recycling, compost, and waste reduction.

Take a look at what we learned about remote work from our experiences during 2020. Is it possible? Is it practical? Is it profitable? Can we do it long term successfully? Read on to see what Global Workplace Analytics found out.

Until 2020, many questioned if remote work was worthwhile or even possible. Yet, it succeeded with minimal preparation, busting myths and illuminating new possibilities for how we work. Get There takes an in-depth look into the lessons 2020 taught us about remote work and rethinking work and what’s next for managers and workers. We tapped Global Workplace Analytics, a national consultancy specializing in modernizing workplace strategies, to breakdown how ardently held remote work myths around productivity, connectivity, and culture are being dispelled as a new status quo for how, when, and where work gets done takes shape.

Check it out here: http://bit.ly/OBMMarch21

Lets make some sustainability resolutions for your business in 2021! Here are some ideas to get you started! Have more? We'd love to hear them in the comments!

#20for20: New Year Sustainability Resolutions for Your Business Rubicon’s campaign will help you fulfill your business’s sustainability New Year’s resolutions.

Applications are open now for the East Multnomah County Small Business Relief Fund. Apply before 8 P.M. on December 14th to be considered for $2500. For more details and eligibility requirements, please visit www.portlandalliance.com

Portland Business Alliance The Downtown Portland Clean & Safe District provides extraordinary essential services to the people, places and businesses within a core 213-block area of our unique city.

Helping Oregon’s Restaurants Survive and Sustain
During the Covid-19 Pandemic

No-cost confidential one-on-one guidance funded through the Cares Act

This rapid response initiative funded through the CARES Act matches restaurant owners and managers with industry experts, who will provide no-cost confidential one-on-one guidance and curated webinars on essential issues.

Helping Oregon’s Businesses Survive and Thrive During the Covid-19 Pandemic As hundreds of Oregon restaurants struggle to stay afloat in thewake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Oregon Small Business DevelopmentCenter Network and the Oregon Lodging & Restaurant Association havelaunched "Oregon Restaurant Covid Assistance" (ORCA).

Calling all high school students!

Do you want to know what it takes to start a career path in the green industry? Come join us Wednesday, December 2 from 10 to 12 p.m. at the Climate Careers Summit to learn more about potential career paths where both you and the planet will benefit. https://www.pps.net/Page/16553

All districts are welcome!

Career Learning Opportunities / Climate Careers Summit All students in grades 9-12 will choose two break out sessions dedicated to meet inspirational speakers who will share their climate-related careers in fields as diverse as architecture, construction, engineering, energy efficiency, health care, justice, renewable power, transportation, and more.

In celebration of America Recycles Day, join Washington County's free webinar about the ins and outs of recycling. Tuesday, November 17th at 5:00pm

Topics include the following:
• Why certain items can and cannot go in the mixed recycling bin
• Where materials end up and how wishful recycling can harm the system
• Why recyclability isn’t always the most important thing

***Registration Required

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Recycling Refresh with Washington County Solid Waste & Recycling. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Recycling Refresh with Washington County Solid Waste & Recycling. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.