About the garbage bill discount
The City of Portland offers a $21.90 monthly garbage bill discount for low-income homeowners who receive sewer, stormwater, and water bill assistance at the Tier 2 level.
The discount is a flat amount, regardless of the size of your garbage cart. If your garbage company bills every two months, $43.80 will be taken off each bill.
To receive the garbage bill discount, you must first enroll in the City's Water Bureau financial assistance program and receive Tier 2 rate relief. The Water Bureau verifies your income eligibility, so you'll only need to answer a few questions to confirm eligibility for the garbage bill discount.
Once you're approved for the garbage bill discount, you will continue to receive it as long as you stay enrolled in the Water Bureau financial assistance program at the Tier 2 level.
Eligibility guidelines
To qualify, you must:
- Own and live in a single-family house.
- Be enrolled in the Water Bureau's financial assistance program and receive Tier 2 rate relief—check the income guidelines table to find out if you qualify.
- Be the account holder for both your garbage bill and your sewer, stormwater, and water bill.
The discount is not currently available to:
- Renters
- Homes with more than one unit, like duplexes, triplexes, or Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
- Households receiving Tier 1 Water Bureau financial assistance
We're working to expand the program in the future.
How to check your Water Bureau Tier 2 status
Not sure if you receive Tier 2 rate relief from the Water Bureau?
- Look at the Water Bureau's income eligibility guidelines.
- Or ask Water Bureau customer service.
How to apply
If you don't have Water Bureau financial assistance
- First, you'll need to apply for Water Bureau financial assistance.
- In the application, be sure to check "Yes, I authorize the release of my contact information" under the optional section about sharing information with City of Portland vendors.*
If you qualify for Water Bureau Tier 2 financial assistance and are the homeowner listed on both your garbage bill and your sewer, stormwater, and water bill accounts, you'll be automatically enrolled in the garbage bill discount.
*If you forget to check the box, you won't be automatically enrolled—but you can still apply by filling out the garbage bill assistance form.
Apply for water bill financial assistance
If you do have Water Bureau financial assistance
- First, check if you receive Tier 2 rate relief from the Water Bureau.
- If you have Tier 2 rate relief, just fill out a short form to apply for the garbage bill discount.
Need a paper form? Contact us and we'll mail you one.
Apply for garbage bill financial assistance
What happens after you apply
When your discount will start:
- Once your application is approved, the discount may take one to two billing cycles to appear on your garbage bill.
- Then the discount will show up on every bill automatically.
Staying enrolled:
- You do not need to reapply each year.
- Your garbage bill discount is linked to your Water Bureau financial assistance Tier 2 status.
- As long as you stay enrolled in Tier 2 Water Bureau financial assistance, your garbage bill discount will continue automatically.
- The discount amount may change slightly in July of each year, when new rates are set.
If your eligibility changes:
- If you stop qualifying for Tier 2 Water Bureau financial assistance, your garbage bill discount will also stop.
- If you qualify for Tier 2 again later, the Water Bureau will let us know and we'll restart your garbage bill discount automatically.
If you move:
- If you move to a new home, you’ll need to transfer your Water Bureau account.
- Once that's done, we'll automatically tell your new garbage company that you're enrolled in the discount program.
Other ways to save
Extra garbage service for low-income households with health-related waste
If members of your household use adult diapers or other incontinence supplies, and your household meets the income eligibility requirements, you can apply for additional garbage service at no cost. Increased garbage service means increasing your current garbage cart to one size larger or adding an additional 35-gallon garbage cart.
Health condition-related waste includes adult diapers and other incontinence supplies. (This does not include diapers used by children under the age of four, feminine hygiene products, or any waste that falls under the definition of "Infectious Waste.")
No-cost bin collection from your house for customers with a disability
If you have a disability or health condition that makes it hard to move your waste bins to the curb, you can request free "non curbside service." On collection day, your waste collection driver will collect your waste bins from your driveway or yard and return them after they're emptied. This service is available at no cost.
Recycle and compost as much as you can
The more you recycle and compost, the less garbage you'll have. With less garbage, you may be able to switch to a smaller garbage cart and pay a lower bill.
Just make sure you're only putting accepted items in your recycling and compost bins. Putting in the wrong items could lead to extra fees or missed pickups.
Not sure where something goes?
- Call Metro's Recycling Information Center at 503-234-3000 (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
- Or contact us for help
Reduce and reuse
The less trash you have, the smaller garbage cart you'll need, and the lower your bill will be. Here are some ways to reduce waste:
Avoid single-use packaging
- Buy in bulk, like in the bulk aisle at grocery stores.
- Look for items with less packaging.
- Use washable plates and cups instead of throw-away ones.
Borrow instead of buying
- Tool libraries let you borrow home and garden tools at no cost. Find a tool library near you.
- Repair Cafés connect you with volunteers who can help fix small appliances, clothes, bikes, and more—for free. Learn about Repair Cafés.
Donate or give away usable items
If you're getting rid of things that are still in good, usable condition, give them a second chance instead of sending them to a landfill. Donating items reduces the amount of stuff in your garbage cart, conserves natural resources, and cuts down on pollution by reducing the need for new products.
Some nonprofits offer low-cost pickup. Or give away items through your neighborhood Buy Nothing group or Nextdoor.
Find options for recycling and donating by contacting Metro's Recycling Information Center at 503-234-3000 (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.).
Find more free resources for borrowing, sharing, and repairing on the City's Resourceful PDX website and map.
Other financial assistance programs
Find additional financial assistance programs by contacting 211 Info:
Dial 2-1-1 (toll free: 866-698-6155) or go to 211info.org.
Questions?
We're here to help! Contact us.