Learn about compost bin guidelines and garbage bin guidelines.
All items should be empty and dry before going into your recycling bin. Items should be placed loose in the bin; do not bag them.
Paper
Allowed paper items
- Cardboard boxes, cereal boxes, cardboard egg cartons.
- Office paper and paper bags.
- Paper and cardboard envelopes (windows and labels are OK, plastic padding is not).
- Newspapers, magazines, catalogs, phone books, and junk mail.
- Cartons (milk, juice, soup; empty and dry).
- Shredded paper must be sealed in a paper bag, do not put in your bin loose. (Businesses with larger quantities: Ask your garbage company.)
Have extra cardboard? Fit as much into your bin as possible by flattening and cutting into smaller pieces. When your bin is full, flatten extra cardboard, tape together in one bundle, and lean next to your blue recycling bin. Bundles should be no larger than 3 feet in any direction.
What’s NOT allowed
- NO coffee cups, take-out food containers, paper plates, pizza boxes.
- NO frozen or refrigerated food boxes.
- NO wax-coated cardboard or paper coated with food, wax, foil or plastic.
- NO paper towels, napkins, facial tissue.
Plastic
When sorting your plastics, ignore the recycle symbol and number: Plastics recycling in Portland is based on the size and shape of the item. Please rinse containers. They do not need to be perfectly clean, but should be free of food residue and dry before they go in your bin.
Allowed plastic items
- Plastic bottles* and jars (6 ounces or larger).
- Plastic jugs (milk, juice, etc.).
- Round plastic food containers (6 ounces or larger) buckets (5 gallons or smaller).
- Plant pots (4-inch diameter or larger).
*Deposit plastic bottles can be recycled in your bin or, to collect deposit funds, take them to a BottleDrop Center or participating grocery store.
What’s NOT allowed
Any plastic that is not shaped like a bottle, round tub, bucket, or jug is not allowed in Portland's recycling. This means:
- NO plastic bags or plastic film of any type: pallet wrap, bubble wrap, stretch wrap.
- NO plastic caps and lids.
- NO plastic 6 pack can holders (all types, including rigid plastic)
- NO plastic take-out food containers and disposable plates, cups and cutlery.
- NO prescription medicine bottles and other plastic containers under 6 oz.
- NO disposable plastic or latex gloves.
- NO bottles that have come in contact with motor oil, pesticides or herbicides, or other hazardous materials.
- NO hoses, ropes, or cords
Metal
Allowed metal items
- Aluminum, tin, and steel food cans.
- Beverage cans.*
- Empty aerosol cans.
- Empty and dry metal paint cans.
- Aluminum foil (clean and dry).
- Scrap metal (smaller than 30 inches and less than 30 pounds).
- To recycle small metal pieces (under 2 inches), like metal lids, screws and nails, collect inside a soup can, crimp tightly closed, then put into mixed recycling.
*Deposit cans and bottles can be recycled in your bin or, to collect deposit funds, take them to a BottleDrop Center or participating grocery store.
What’s NOT allowed
- Wire, chains, or electric cords
- Wire hangers (unless tightly tied together in a bundle)
- Aerosol cans that still contain liquids must be disposed of at a hazardous waste facility. Call 503-234-3000 for locations.
Glass
Glass should always be collected separately from other recycling. If glass ends up with other recyclables, it can cause harm to the staff and machinery at local recycling facilities.
Allowed glass items
- All glass food and beverage bottles* and jars.
- All colors of glass (it's OK to leave labels on).
*Deposit glass bottles can be recycled in your glass-only bin or, to collect deposit funds, take them to a BottleDrop Center or participating grocery store.
What’s NOT allowed
- NO drinking glasses, dishware or drinkware of any kind.
- NO ceramics or flower vases.
- NO light bulbs.
- NO window glass or mirrors.
- NO lids, bottle caps, or corks.
Motor Oil
Houses and smallplexes: Put motor oil in a leakproof, clear plastic jug (1 gallon max) with a tightly-closed lid. Place on curb next to waste bins.
Apartments and businesses: Call 503-234-3000 or look up drop-off or pick-up recycling options.
Not sure if something is recyclable?
Look it up or call 503-234-3000: They’ll tell you if it goes in your garbage or recycling bin, or where you can drop it off for recycling, donation, or safe disposal.
Or view more items at RecycleOrNot.org or @recycleornot on Instagram. (Visite ReciclarONo.org o @reciclarono en Instagram.)