Finding Your Trash and Recycling Collection Schedule in Portland, Oregon

Knowing when trash and recycling are picked up is key to keeping your neighborhood clean in Portland, Oregon. This guide provides everything you need to look up your garbage and recycling collection schedule.

The City of Portland provides trash, recycling, and compost pickup for residents of single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes. Larger apartment buildings and businesses must arrange for private collection services.

How to Look Up Your Collection Day

You have a few options for finding your personalized collection schedule in Portland:

Use the Online Lookup Tool

The easiest way to find your trash and recycling schedule is to use the online lookup tool provided by the City’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability.

Simply enter your Portland address and the tool will display what day of the week each type of bin should be placed on the curb.

Types of collection:

• Garbage – Weekly
• Recycling – Every other week
• Compost – Weekly

Once you enter your address, you can also sign up to receive free email, text, app, or phone call reminders before each pickup day. Reminders ensure you never miss collection day again!

Download or Print a Collection Calendar

After entering your address in the online lookup, you have the option to download or print a PDF calendar customized to your pickup schedule for the entire year.

Hang this calendar on your fridge or another visible spot so the whole household knows when to take bins to the curb.

Check Your Paper Collection Schedule

All households receiving City of Portland collection services are mailed a paper collection schedule each year in late December for the upcoming year.

If you cannot find or did not receive the mailed schedule, you can call 503-823-7202 to request another copy.

Apartments, Businesses, and Other Special Cases

The City of Portland only provides trash collection for single-family homes and small multi-family buildings.

If you live in an apartment building or manage a business, you will need to arrange for garbage collection with a private company rather than relying on the City’s pickup.

Here are some common situations that require a private hauler:

• Apartment buildings with 5+ units
• Businesses
• Churches
• Schools
• Non-profits

Check with your property manager or landlord to find out who handles waste collection for your building.

The City does provide licensing for all private trash haulers operating in Portland. You can look up your hauler’s license on the City website to make sure they are approved to collect in the area.

Holiday Collection Schedules

Trash pickup runs as normal on most holidays in Portland, but there are a few exceptions:

New Year’s Day

No collection services on January 1st. If this is your normal pickup day, collection will be delayed by one day that week.

Memorial Day

Normal collection schedule.

Independence Day

Normal collection schedule.

Labor Day

Normal collection schedule.

Thanksgiving

Normal collection schedule.

Christmas Day

No collection services on December 25th. If this is your normal pickup day, collection will be delayed by one day that week.

Other Holidays

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Veterans Day, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve have normal collection.

Check the holiday collection schedule for exact dates.

Winter Weather Delays

Portland can experience snow and ice during the winter months, which may delay your normal garbage and recycling pickup schedule.

If weather conditions prevent safe collection, your pickup will be postponed by one day that week. So if you usually have pickup on Monday, expect it to occur on Tuesday during a delay.

The City will contact news media to report any collection delays due to winter weather. You can also call 503-823-7202 for the latest updates.

Signing up for collection reminders is the best way to stay on top of changes due to snow or ice. The reminder system will automatically update if weather alters the pickup schedule for your address.

Extra Trash and Bulky Items

For the regular weekly pickup, the City of Portland allows each household to place up to 12 trash bags or cans on the curb.

Make sure to flatten any bulky cardboard boxes before setting them out to maximize space in the truck.

If you occasionally have extra trash that does not fit in your bin with the lid closed, you can place up to 5 additional bags or cans next to the cart on pickup day.

There is no extra charge, but this overflow garbage must fit in a bag or can (not loose).

Bulky Waste Disposal

For large bulky items like furniture, appliances, and mattresses that cannot fit in your bin, you have a few options:

• Schedule a bulky waste pickup: The City offers an on-call bulky item collection service for an extra fee. Schedule this special pickup by calling 503-823-7202.

• Take items to a transfer station: You can bring bulky waste to one of Metro’s garbage transfer stations. Fees apply based on the type of material and weight.

• Donate usable items: Check with local thrift stores, charities, and reuse programs like Habitat for Humanity ReStore to see if they accept items in good condition.

• Use an on-call junk hauling service: Many junk removal companies offer haul-away services for old furniture, appliances, and other large items. Compare rates if going this route.

See the City’s bulky waste disposal guide for full details on your options.

Hazardous and Electronic Waste Disposal

Trash collectors cannot take hazardous materials or electronics like TVs, computers, and cell phones. These items require special handling.

Here’s where to bring common household hazardous and electronic waste in Portland:

• Paint, chemicals, automotive fluids, cleaning products: Take to a Metro hazardous waste facility. Drop-off is free for Portland residents. Locations are available throughout the metro area.

• Batteries: Drop off at a Metro recycling center or hazardous waste facility. Many retailers like Best Buy also collect batteries.

• Electronics: Take to an electronics recycler like Free Geek or Eco Northwest. Fees may apply.

• Medications: Return expired and unused medications to a Metro hazardous waste facility or a designated police precinct. Do not place in your curbside trash.

• Needles/sharps: Use a sharps container and bring to a Metro hazardous waste facility. Do not put loose in the trash.

See Metro’s find a recycler tool to locate the closest drop spots and requirements in the Portland area.

Yard Debris and Food Waste Recycling

Portland collects yard debris and food scraps for composting in the green bin. Here’s what you need to know:

Yard Debris Collection

• Weekly from March – December
• Bi-weekly from January – February
• Accepted: leaves, grass clippings, brush, branches, weeds

Bundle or bag branches and brush. No plastic bags – use paper yard debris bags or reusable containers.

Food Waste Collection

• Weekly year-round
• Accepted: fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, meat, fish, bones, eggshells, paper towels & napkins, coffee grounds and filters
• Place food waste in BPI-certified compostable bags before adding to your green bin. No plastic bags.

See the complete list of accepted materials for the compost bin.

Avoid placing food waste loose in your bin without a bag or liner. This helps keep your bin clean and reduces odor.

Missed Pickup

If your garbage, recycling, or compost was not collected on your scheduled day, first check that you had the right bins out before contacting the City.

Then report any missed collection by the next day:

• Online: Use the online report form

• Phone: Call 503-823-7202

The City will send a truck to collect your missed bins within one business day of the report.

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