As previously mentioned, whenever possible, try to purchase goods that can be recycled. Make sure that the label “recyclable” means it can be recycled in the local facilities available to Multnomah County. Capacity varies depending on the recycling facilities in each locality.
Products that contain hazardous materials must be disposed of as hazardous waste, which costs the County more than regular disposal. This also indicates that the product could contain toxic ingredients that we may not want to be using in our County operations.
Consult FIN-13 for a description of the Sale, Donation & Disposal of County Personal Property or go to MINT>Purchasing Home Page>County Surplus.
Ask the vendor to take it back. Increasingly, vendors are offering to take back the products they sell when they become obsolete. By utilizing vendors who offer take-back, recycling, and disposal programs, the County can be assured that equipment and products are disposed of properly whether recycled, donated, refurbished or disposed of.
Some vendors may take back used items such as carpeting and toner cartridges when we buy new products. For example, several carpet manufacturers have invested in sophisticated recycling facilities that turn old carpet into new carpet or other goods; toner cartridges are disposed of properly or sent to be refilled and sold at a lower cost.
Encourage vendors to assume responsibility for shipping materials as well. Ask them to specify how packaging will be minimized, including programs to use returnable, refillable, reusable, biodegradable, and/or recycled packaging.
When ordering large items such as furniture or computer hardware, request products ship using reduced packing material.
Things to look for:
- Recyclable in local facilities
- Reusable
- Vendor take back programs (for products as well as packaging)
- Compostable, biodegradable
- End of product life programs that include re-use, recycling, and refurbishing
Things to avoid:
- Hazardous waste
- Non-recyclable products
For more information:
- Go to MINT>Administrative Procedures>FIN-13 and read about Sale, Donation and Disposal of County Personal Property.
- Go to the Purchasing Home Page>County Surplus (right hand navigation).
- County employees can view an excellent internal recycling web site by going to MINT>MINT Resources (right hand column)>Recycling.
- The Metro web site has extensive information on recycling in our region. Go to www.oregonmetro.gov and click on Garbage and Recycling on the left hand navigation.