Pollution Prevention Program

City staff help new and existing business owners navigate stormwater regulatory compliance to protect the public health and the environment.

Business activities can release contaminates into the environment if not properly managed. Gresham partners with Ecobiz to offer technical assistance to automotive, manufacturing, and landscaping businesses. If you become Ecobiz certified, you will also be recognized as a Gresham Green Business. 

Pollution prevention programs

• Fats, Oils and Grease Program: Works with food service establishments to prevent grease blockages that cause sewer backups.
• Green Business Program: Helps businesses conserve natural resources, recycle, protect the local environment and save money.
• Stormdrain Cleaning Assistance Program: Offers discount stormdrain cleaning to businesses.
• Groundwater Protection Program: Provides free, on-site assistance in the management of toxic products.

Pollution prevention basics

• Clean and maintain stormdrains.
• Never allow anything but rainwater to enter business stormdrains.
• Keep company vehicles maintained.
• Use kitty litter or other absorbents to clean drips and spills.
• Sweep the business parking lot and sidewalks regularly.
• Avoid power washing or leaf-blowing debris into stormdrains.
• Wash business vehicles over grass or at a commercial car wash.
• Keep a spill kit on-site and train employees to use it.
• Store, label and dispose of hazardous chemicals properly.
• Keep garbage cans and dumpsters sealed; replace leaky containers immediately.
• Properly dispose of all waste products, fluids, and grease that can’t go into trash or recycling bins.
• Use alternatives to pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers when landscaping.
• Plant native plants in the landscape. Learn more about native plants.
• Maintain water quality treatment facilities on business property including ponds, dry ponds or swales.

Pollution prevention resources 

Pollution prevention guidelines and compliance information by industry.

• Automotive businesses
• Negocios automotrices

• Landscape businesses
• Negocios de paisajismo

• Restaurants
• Los restaurantes