information
Portland and the federal government

Learn about our sanctuary city status, efforts to block federal overreach: Portland.gov/Federal

Garbage, Recycling, and Compost

Program
Community and Economic Development
Learn what goes in each bin, how to sign up for garbage service, and how to look up your garbage company. Request assistance and order free recycling signs and labels. Find out how to get rid of stuff that doesn't fit in your bins and how to report trash in public areas.
Three icons are show side-by-side: A blue recycling icon, a green apple core, and a black trash can. View full size image

Featured content

A large blue recycling symbol (arrows chasing each other in a triangular shape) next to a blue recycling cart and a yellow glass recycling bin

Recycling – what goes in the bin

A green circle with a white apple core icon inside is shown next to a green compost cart.

Compost – what goes in the bin

A dark gray circle with a white trash can icon within in is shown next to a dark gray garbage cart.

Garbage – what goes in the bin

A green compost bin, black garbage bin, blue recycling bin, and yellow glass bin lined up on a residential street, with gardens and homes in the background.

Recycling at home

A mother and son put cardboard into a blue recycling cart.

Recycling at apartments & multifamily

A woman in an office puts cardboard into a recycling bin. A restaurant staff member puts a bag of food scraps into a compost bin.

Recycling at businesses

Two children in a classroom stand near one another and work on a project together.

School Recycling & Waste Reduction Resources

An old blue vacuum is shown next to an old red leather couch, a lamp, and a mattress.

Large household waste disposal options

printed recycling, glass, and garbage guide on a fridge

Printable recycling guides

Compost truck tipping green roll cart into collection area

Who picks up my garbage?

A phone icon, a question mark icon, and an email icon.

Ask a garbage and recycling question

large bales of compressed cardboard are stacked on top of each other.

Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act

How to set up garbage service

Community cleanup resources

About garbage and recycling in Portland

Contact

Garbage and Recycling Hotline

wasteinfo@portlandoregon.gov
phone number503-823-7202

Related offices, programs, and projects

View of downtown cross walk showing public trash cans on either side of the street. Trash cans are black with art on the side showing big foot on one and a hamburger on another.

Public Trash Cans

photos showing a woman holding a child's chair in a vintage store, a tool library sign, and a man holding salvaged wood.

Resourceful PDX

Aerial view of grocery store shelves filled with prepackaged goods

Sustainable Consumption and Production

Deconstruction workers climbing on top of a roof sheathing

Deconstruction

News

Portland’s guide to giving gifts of experience

This year, consider giving your family and friends experiences rather than things.

Blog post

People kayak, attend a game, and prepare a meal

5 Tips to Tackle Holiday Food Waste

Save time, food, and money by following these tips to avoid making too much food and letting leftovers go to waste.

Blog post

plates heaping with food fill a dining room table top.

Administrative Rule Updates: Solid Waste, Recycling, and Composting

BPS is proposing updates to Solid Waste and Recycling administrative rules. Public comments are due by Friday, November 21, 2025.

Updated Public notice

More news

Events

Learn to Darn, hosted by Repair PDX (paid, sliding scale)

Learn how to mend holes or tears in knitwear, from socks to sweaters!

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Community Event
Students learn how to mend knitwear. View full size image

Borrow home and garden tools, hosted by local tool libraries

Tool libraries across Portland let you borrow tools for free, just like checking out books.

10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Community Event
A signboard with the text Tool Library Open View full size image

Borrow home and garden tools, hosted by local tool libraries

Tool libraries across Portland let you borrow tools for free, just like checking out books.

10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Community Event
A signboard with the text Tool Library Open View full size image

Borrow home and garden tools, hosted by local tool libraries

Tool libraries across Portland let you borrow tools for free, just like checking out books.

10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Community Event
A signboard with the text Tool Library Open View full size image
More events

Past Meetings and Hearings

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