Sustainability is an attempt to provide the best outcomes for the human and natural environments both now and into the indefinite future. Sustainability affects every level of organization, from the local neighborhood to the entire planet, including such issues as energy, food production, social justice, health, green building, transportation, land use, economic development, waste prevention and recycling, purchasing, investing, and resource protection.

Sustainability is a priority for Multnomah County and an integral part of how the county does business. The county’s Sustainability Program was established in 2001. To date, the Board of County Commissioners has adopted over 30 sustainability resolutions and policies. Below is a chronological list of the county's sustainability policies.

  • Establishes Recycling Program at County Facilities (1989)
  • Commitment to Post-Consumer Recycled Material (1996)
  • Authorizing Green Power Purchase (2000)
  • Sustainability Initiative established (2001)
  • Global Warming Action Plan (2001)
  • Travel Smart – Employee Commute Options Policy (2002)
  • Sustainable Procurement Strategy (2002)
  • Sustainable Development Commission & Food Policy Council established (2002)
  • Policy on Paper & Paint Purchasing and Goals for Paper Use (2003)
  • Multnomah County Sustainability Principles adopted (2004)
  • Natl. Pollution Prevention Week & Directing Development of a Toxics Reduction Strategy (2004)
  • Adopting a High Performance Green Building Policy (2004)
  • SOLV Support (2004)
  • Amy Joslin Green Roof (2004)
  • Recycling Goals and Waste Prevention Plans for County Facilities (2005)
  • Green Cleaning Policy for County Facilities (2005)
  • Toxics Reduction Strategy (2006)
  • Benzene Reduction Policy (2007)
  • County Digs (2007)
  • Cell Phone Recycling Project (2007)
  • Authorization of Solar Energy Projects (2007)
  • LEED Gold and High Performance Green Building Policy (2008)
  • Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Declaration (2008)
  • Installation of Solar Energy on County Facilities (2008)
  • Central Library Eco-Roof (2008)
  • Green Jobs Resolution (2008)
  • Local Purchasing Policy (2008)
  • Hope Garden Authorization (2009)
  • CROPS Program Established (2009)
  • Multnomah Food Initiative (2009)
  • Climate Action Plan (2009)