BEST Award winner, 2011 – Green Building
BEST Award winner, 2006 – Water Efficiency
BEST Award winner, 2004 – Waste Reduction / Pollution Prevention

About the Port of Portland

Established in 1891 by the Oregon legislature, the Port of Portland today owns four marine terminals, three airports (Portland International, Hillsboro, and Troutdale) and six industrial properties. The mission of the Port is to enhance the region’s economy and quality of life by providing efficient cargo and air passenger access to national and global markets. The most recent economic impact study shows that the Port generated 27,000 jobs, $1.7 billion in wages, salaries and consumption impacts and nearly $164 million in state and local taxes in 2011.

In 2010, the Port of Portland moved into a new 200,000 square-foot, LEED Platinum headquarters building atop the long-term parking garage at Portland International Airport. The building was designed to reduce energy use, conserve water, and use sustainable building materials. The office space is estimated to use 36 percent less energy than a similar office building its size. The long-term parking garage beneath it, built in conjunction with the headquarters, uses 78 percent less energy than a similarly-sized garage.

Achievements

• Building can be heated and cooled without the direct consumption of fossil fuels. Building temperature is maintained by a passive radiant panel thermal system connected to a closed-loop ground source heat pump system.
• Building insulation features include 10,000 square foot ecoroof, window glazing, exterior shades, and automated interior shades.
• The Port purchases 100% certified renewable energy for Port-wide electricity use and is a founding member of The Climate Registry.
• Composting, all-plastics recycling and employee outreach and education contribute to the building’s 84% landfill diversion rate. In addition, the Port has hosted a number of Zero Waste (90% or greater landfill waste diversion rate) meetings and events.
• Fleet vehicles primarily consist of hybrid and electric models.
• Wastewater is treated onsite with a Living Machine® system which uses tidal wetland-like processes. It is the largest commercial office building application of its kind in the western United States.
• Centralized printers use Sugarmade™ paper made of sugarcane and bamboo fibers and solid ink cartridges which greatly decrease the amount of packaging and waste over the unit’s lifecycle.
• The Port operates under an Environmental Management System. Interdisciplinary teams of employees meet regularly to identify opportunities for continual improvement in the areas of air quality, energy efficiency, natural resource management, water quality and conservation, and waste minimization.