When moving to Portland, you’ll be happy to learn that Portland provides residential curbside collection service.  Generally speaking, this service includes weekly composting and recycling and every other week garbage collection.  Here is information on garbage and recycling for new Portland residents.

Residential service is for homeowners or renters in one to four units (single-family duplex triplex fourplex).   Furthermore, landlords are required to provide and pay for curbside collection service for renters of any building size.

Each Cart Plays a Part:  Recycle, Compost & Garbage

  • Garbage is collected every-other-week for most residential customers and every-four-weeks for some customers by request.
  • You have options! Right size your garbage container to fit your household’s needs with one of four sizes available.
  • Mix paper plastic and metal together in the blue Portland Recycles! roll cart.
  • Keep glass bottles and jars separate in a yellow recycling bin.

  • Include the food! Collect food scraps while preparing meals scraping plates and cleaning the fridge of leftovers and to the green Portland Composts! roll cart along with yard debris.
  • In Fact, 70% of what is collected is recycled or composted!

We’re here to help you make the most of your curbside system.
www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/carts
503-823-7202

Take the guesswork out of garbage day!
Sign up for free email reminders at www.garbagedayreminders.com.

Multifamily – recycling

Buildings with five or more units receive multifamily services. (Four units or less is residential service and is provided by your landlord.)

If you’re new to Portland there’s a good chance you’re renting an apartment buying a condo or living in some type of multifamily community of five or more units.

How and where you dispose of trash, compost and recycling  may look different depending on where you live. What doesn’t change is your right to participate. The big picture is that multifamily property owners and managers provide and pay for garbage and recycling service.  In addition, they are also responsible for providing recycling information annually and at move-in.

As a resident resources are available free of charge including:

  • how and where to dispose of garbage and recycling
  • what items can be recycled
  • where to take things that don’t belong in the garbage or recycling
  • who to contact with questions

Contact the property owner manager or the City of Portland for free information and resources.
www.portlandoregon.gov/bps/multifamily
503-823-7224

Moving resources for renters:  Recycling, Composting & Garbage

There are many options available for items you no longer need or want during move-in or move-out.

  • Find reusable items such as furniture household goods clothes shoes and books at garage sales and donation centers.
  • Talk to the landlord about setting out large or bulky items or extra garbage for collection. There is a fee for these services.
  • Recycle electronic waste such as computers monitors and TVs. These items cannot be disposed of in the garbage in Oregon.
  • Take hazardous waste such as paint chemicals and cleaners to a local household hazardous waste disposal site.

Questions about items not accepted at your building? Ask Metro.
www.oregonmetro.gov/recycling
503-234-3000