Services, Guides, and Information
45 services and resources found
Compost – what goes in the bin
Information
Learn what can and can’t go in your green compost bin in Portland. For homes, that includes food and yard waste. At businesses, it's food only.
Garbage – what goes in the bin
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Learn what can and can’t go in your garbage bin in Portland.
Recycling – what goes in the bin
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Paper, plastic, and metal go in your blue recycling bin. Glass should always be collected in a separate glass-only bin. Whether you’re at home, work, or school, the materials you can recycle in Portland are the same.
Winter weather and City of Portland services
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From road closures to home heating tips, the City of Portland can help you stay safe when severe weather hits. We're responsible for your streets, parks, water, storm drains and garbage collection, which can all be impacted by winter weather. Up-to-date winter weather information can be found here.
About garbage and recycling in Portland
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Learn about Portland's garbage and recycling system, including its history, key policies, and what happens to your recycling and compost after it leaves your home or business.
Business food scraps requirement
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Food businesses in Portland will be required to compost their food scraps, starting in 2023 for some businesses.
Business garbage and recycling policies
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City of Portland regulations for businesses related to recycling, single-use bags, Styrofoam, single-use plastics, and proper waste container storage.
Business recycling guide
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Learn how to set up or improve recycling at your business. Get free posters and stickers, staff training tools, and tips for recycling at your office, restaurant, or shop.
Business recycling requirement
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Businesses in Portland are required to recycle. This includes paper, metal, and plastic, as well as glass bottles and jars.
Community cleanup resources
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How to help clean up litter and graffiti in your neighborhood and around Portland. Plus, where to report overflowing public trash cans, abandoned vehicles or shopping carts, and other areas with large quantities of trash.
Composting at Apartments & Multifamily
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How to set up food scrap compost collection at multifamily properties. This includes apartments, condos, townhomes, and any residential community with five or more units.
Containers in the Right-of-Way
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Garbage, recycling and compost containers are not allowed to be stored on public sidewalks or streets.
Dumpster Day Events
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The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability is hosting neighborhood events around the city in spring 2024 where people who live in the area can get rid of large, bulky trash items.
Every-other-week garbage collection explained
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In Portland, garbage is collected every other week at houses, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes. Recycling and compost are collected weekly. This has environmental and cost benefits.
Food service compost guide
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Learn how to set up and maintain a food scraps compost program at your restaurant, grocery store, bakery, or other food-related business.
City of Portland rules related to garbage, recycling, and compost, pertaining to garbage companies, residential customers, and commercial customers (including businesses and multifamily properties).
Garbage service for businesses
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Learn how to set up garbage, recycling, and compost collection service for your business.
Garbage service for houses and smallplexes
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Learn how to set up garbage service for your home, duplex, triplex, or fourplex. And find out what to do in case of a missed pickup, plus rules for setting your bins at the curb, and what to do with extras that don't fit in your bin.
Garbage service for multifamily properties
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Learn how to set up garbage, recycling, and compost collection service for your multifamily property. This includes apartments, condos, townhomes, and any residential community with five or more units.
Key policies, programs, and plans that shaped how the City of Portland manages and reduces waste. Details the evolution of Portland's garbage, recycling, and compost collection system from the 1950s to the present.
How to dispose of event waste
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Find drop-off locations for event recycling and waste materials or hire a garbage hauler to pick-up from the event site.
How to set up garbage service
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How you set up service depends on whether you’re at home or at work, whether you own or rent your home, and whether you live in a house or a larger building.
Improvements to Multifamily Recycling
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Over the next few years, changes will be made to make recycling easier at apartments and other multifamily communities. This includes improved garbage and recycling service levels, easy-to-understand signs, and color-coded containers.
Large household waste disposal options
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Need to get rid of something big and bulky like a couch, mattress, or appliance? You have drop-off and pick-up options for recycling, donation, and disposal.
Office compost guide
Information
Learn how to set up and maintain a compost program at your office. Get free posters and stickers, staff training tools, and tips for composting food waste.
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