Unsure if something could be donated or recycled? Search Metro’s Find a Recycler tool, call 503-234-3000, or submit a question.
Reuse or donate
The best solution for our community and the environment is to get usable materials into the hands of those who need them and recycle the rest.
Use these resources instead of creating “free piles,” which in inclement weather result in less usable materials, reduce sidewalk accessibility, and attract pests to your neighborhood.
Resourceful PDX has a map of community-based and not-for-profit organizations that help you reuse, swap, repair, and share items. You’ll also find a host of ideas and tips to help you live more resourcefully.
Metro’s Find a Recyclersearch tool offers donation suggestions based on the item you need to get rid of. Or call 503-234-3000 or submit a question to find donation drop-off and pick-up options.
Give away
There are many websites that make it easy to give away items you no longer need. Here are a few:
- Buy Nothing Project (Use the app or find your neighborhood-based Buy Nothing Facebook group)
- Nextdoor
- Freecycle
- Offerup
Recycle
Did you know that mattresses, broken microwaves, vacuums, and TVs can be recycled? They aren’t allowed in your blue bin, but there are drop-off recycling options.
Use Metro’s Find a Recycler search tool to look up your item, or call 503-234-3000 or submit a question to find the nearest recycling drop-off locations.
Find recycling drop-off locations
Garbage
How to get rid of items that can’t be donated, reused, or recycled.
Garbage company (pick up)
Contact your garbage company to get a cost estimate and pick-up date for appliances, furniture, large branches, stumps, and other big items that don’t fit in your garbage bin.
- Call at least a week in advance.
- Don't set items out on the curb until the scheduled day.
*If you live in an apartment building or multifamily community, ask the property manager where to put large items for disposal.
Metro Transfer Station (drop off)
Drop off garbage or hazardous waste at one of Metro’s transfer stations:
- Metro Central, 6161 NW 61st Ave, Portland
- Metro South, 2001 Washington St, Oregon City
Look up the transfer station hours, rates, what’s accepted and more on Metro's website or by calling 503-234-3000, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Garbage drop-off hours and rates
Junk removal companies (pick up)
There are many businesses that will clear out and clean up your unwanted stuff and haul it away for a fee. Do a web search for “junk removal Portland” to find options.