EverGreen Campaign

Introducing Portland Farmers Market’s Evergreen Campaign

What is EverGreen?

EverGreen is Portland Farmers Market's new green initiative. It means more recycling and less waste at the markets, and promoting the eco-virtues of local living. The program was launched at the Saturday PSU market in 2010 and will encompass all of our markets by the beginning of the 2012 season.

What is the goal of EverGreen?

Prior to EverGreen’s launch, a single season at Portland Farmers Market’s largest location - the Saturday PSU market – generated more than thirteen tons of trash loaded with food scraps, plastic water bottles, disposable coffee cups, paper plates, packaging and other discarded items destined for the landfill. Beginning in 2010, EverGreen helped divert more than 75% of that waste into composting and recycling streams.

In year two, we will expand EverGreen and repeat our diversion success at the three downtown market locations: PSU, Pioneer Courthouse Square and Shemanski Park. By 2012, Portland Farmers Market is committed to diverting 90% of waste from all market sites to recycling and compost streams.

How can I see EverGreen in action?

The markets feature composting and recycling stations, and future program plans include a customer education station at the markets and dynamic content in Portland Farmers Market’s eNews and website. Additionally, there are updated  guidelines for Market vendors, including required use of compostable or recyclable food service ware and phased-in restrictions on plastic bottled water sales and the use of plastic bags.

Why be EverGreen?

Because it is the right thing to do. Single-use disposable packaging is not sustainable. Portland Farmers Market is committed to becoming the “greenest,” most sustainable farmers market in the United States, reducing the Market’s ecological footprint to the greatest extent possible, and inspiring change in our market community of customers and vendors.