Dumptown: How Portland’s trash problem spiraled out of control
Portland rests in the shadow of Mount Hood, with two major rivers and a verdant tree canopy. Its natural beauty and trailblazing policies on recycling and sustainability built its reputation as a civic showpiece.
That idyllic image now lies buried beneath mounds and mounds of garbage, shocking residents and visitors alike.
“I’ve lived here my whole life and have never seen anything like it,” said Dan Grogan, 59, who owns Fisherman’s Marine & Outdoor, a sporting goods store at the Hayden Meadows Square in North Portland.