Office Closure Alert:
Residential Recycling
Pick up frequency:
EVERY OTHER WEEK – on the SHADED WEEKS on the Recycling and Yard Debris Service Calendar; same day as garbage collection. Please have your recyclables at the curbside before 6 am the day of service.
More Recycling Than Cart?
If you are having challenges with overflowing recycling on the every two week collection cycle, we will be happy to deliver to you an additional cart at no extra charge. Call (503) 648-4219 for information.
Roll Cart and Red Bin Recycling
Your help is needed to keep your recycling clean and free of contamination. Contamination occurs when unclean containers or non-recyclable materials are mixed with the recyclable materials. Contaminants can cause entire loads of otherwise clean recyclables to end up as garbage. Keeping your recycling bin clean and free of contamination helps to ensure that your recyclables have the best opportunity to become new products.
Please follow the preparation guidelines to ensure that your recyclables will be collected and that they can be used again. In the event that their is a challenge with your recycling preparation your hauler may leave a Mispreparation Notice as described below.
Mispreparation Notice
On occasion you may find a mispreparation notice from your hauler. This notice means that the hauler needs your assistance to properly recycle your materials. Often you can correct the mispreparation and your hauler will pick the materials on the next recycling day. If you have specific questions regarding the mispreparation notice – contact us at (503) 648-4219.
Roll Cart
Acceptable Residential Recycling Items
Newspapers & Magazines
Just toss them into the recycle roll cart.
Cardboard
Flatten boxes and toss into the recycle roll cart. For large boxes, flatten, bundle and place next to recycle roll cart- stack no larger than 3’ x 3’ wide
Scrap Paper
Place scrap paper into a brown paper bag and toss into the recycle roll cart. Please secure the material to prevent it from blowing out.
Milk Cartons & Drink Boxes
Rinse clean, drip dry and toss into the recycle roll cart
Metal Cans
(including aluminum and tin/steel food cans). Rinse clean and toss it into the recycle roll cart (paper labels OK).
Aerosol Cans
Empty the can through normal use, remove and discard the plastic cap and toss the can into the recycle roll cart.
Rigid Plastic Containers and Bottles
Remove and discard all lids. All containers must be rinsed clean, removing all food, soil, or drink residue.
Unacceptable Residential Recycling Items
Wax-coated cardboard.
Tissue paper, paper towels, or paper coated with food, wax, foil, or plastic.
Metal that is contaminated with plastic, food, or other non-metal
Plastics that have come into contact with motor oil, pesticide, or herbicide
Plastic bags, plastic films, zipper plastic bags, or bubble wrap
Blister packaging—tough, clear, molded plastic packaging
Take-out food containers or clear deli/bakery containers
Individual-serving containers smaller than 6 oz—applesauce or pudding cup
Styrofoam
Clothing
Children's plastic toys
Red Bin
Acceptable Residential Recycling Items
Glass Bottles and Jars
Remove the lid, rinse the container clean. Place glass into your red bin or use your own container (a small, rigid bucket or plastic container no larger than the red bin). Save up to completely fill your container then place a few feet away from your recycle roll cart
Motor Oil
Put your used motor oil into a "see-through," unbreakable container (one-gallon preferred) with a screw top lid. Place next to your red bin and away from any roll cart to avoid spillage.
Batteries (if service is available in your area)
Curbside collection of batteries is now available to residential customers in unincorporated Washington County, Tigard, Sherwood, King City, Durham and North Plains as part of regular collection services.
Unacceptable Residential Recycling Items
Window glass, mirrors, cookware, or drinking glasses.
Certain Batteries
Recycle bin street side placement Information
Place your recycle bin(s), glass container(s) and motor oil container(s) either on the curb edge closest to the street or in the street back against the curb. Please observe the following clearance criteria to assure your recyclables are serviced and that the possibility of property damage is minimized.
- 18 feet of overhead clearance for your bin(s) is essential as the service vehicles lifts it’s glass collection bin overhead to remove the contents.
- 5 feet of space in between your recycle bin/container and other garbage/yard debris carts allows the garbage/yard debris service vehicle enough space to lower the pickup arm in between each cart. Without this space the arm is unable to reach around the cart and recyclables may get spilled.
- 18 feet of space between the bin and any tree, automobile or basketball hoop assures that the mechanical arm does not come into contact with any object that could sustain serious damage.
- 5 feet of space between the bin(s) and any mailbox(es) prevents the mechanical arm/truck from damaging the mailbox.
Residential Services
Frequently Asked Questions
If for some reason your garbage, recycling, or yard debris is missed, please call our office at (503) 648-4219 as soon as possible. If your pick up was missed by our driver, we will return for pick up either the next day or the next collection day with no charge for extras. If the pick up was missed due to the customer not having the can out, there will be an extra charge to return for the pick up.
For environmental and safety purposes, do not dispose of hazardous waste in your garbage can. Call Metro Hotline at (503) 234-3000 for disposal information. Click the following link to visit Metro’s hazardous waste collection events information web page: www.oregonmetro.gov
Paint Cans: Containers must be empty, completely dried out, with the lids off.
Motor Oil: See recycling. Place used motor oil in a see-through container, such as a milk jug with a secure lid.
Antifreeze, Aerosol Products, Fluorescent light Fixtures, Household Cleaning Products, Pesticides or herbicides, paints, thinners, or solvents, fertilizers or poisons. Call Metro Hotline at (503) 234-3000 for disposal information. NO COMPUTERS, MONITORS or TVs. As of January 1, 2010, Oregon law prohibits the disposal of computers, monitors and TVs in the garbage or at disposal sites such as landfills, transfer stations and incinerators. The Oregon E-Cycles program provides FREE recycling of computers, monitors and televisions to anyone with seven or fewer items to recycle at a time. For more information and participating collection sites near you visit www.oregonecycles.org or call 1-888-532-9253
