Editor’s note: This is the second article in a series about private- and public-sector efforts to scale reusable packaging systems in the Portland, Oregon, area.
“Bring your own” isn’t just for carrying beverages into a party or restaurant. An Oregon law is helping the bring-your-own-containers concept catch on — notably in the Portland metropolitan region, where the local government launched a complementary reuse initiative for food-related businesses.
In May 2023, Gov. Tina Kotek signed a law allowing residents to bring their own reusable containers to food establishments in tandem with a separate polystyrene foam ban. The Oregon Health Authority had to adopt rules for BYO to take effect by June 30, 2024…