Photo: Ford, Brad
Last week’s snow and ice storm caused a nearly unprecedented disruption in Portland’s waste collection system.
Hazardous road conditions and closures of key facilities in the regional garbage system resulted in many garbage companies being unable to collect for the entire week. Companies had planned to start catching up on Saturday but were unable to after freezing rain made road conditions unsafe.
Garbage collection is top priority this week
Waste collection companies are operating in storm recovery mode and focusing their trucks and staff on picking up garbage this week.
If your garbage was not picked up last week, leave your garbage bin at the curb, and it will be collected as soon as possible. If this week is your usual garbage week, set out garbage on your regular collection day.
Recycling is next priority
Garbage companies expect to be able to pick up recycling this week. If your recycling was missed last week, you can set out twice as much this week. Follow instructions about how to set out extra recycling at www.portland.gov/garbage-delays.
Compost may be delayed until next week
Some companies have postponed compost collection until next week, as they redirect their trucks and staff to catch up on missed garbage collection from last week. If your compost wasn’t collected last week and/or this week, you can set out extra yard waste next week for no extra charge. Follow instructions about how to set out extra yard waste at www.portland.gov/garbage-delays
Find disposal options for fallen branches and trees at www.portland.gov/garbage-delays.
For the most up-to-date information, check your garbage company’s website. Look up your garbage company at www.portland.gov/findmyhauler.
How to set out extra recycling and yard waste
If you’ve got more recycling and yard waste than can fit in your bins due to weather-related service delays, here’s how to set out extras:
- Recycling: Put recyclables in a cardboard box or a paper bag and set next to your blue recycling bin.
- Cardboard: First, flatten boxes and cut cardboard into smaller pieces to fit as much as possible into your recycling bin. Then flatten all remaining cardboard, bundle it together, secure the bundle with tape, and lean the bundle against your blue recycling bin.
- Glass: You can set out any rigid plastic container filled with glass bottles and jars next to your regular glass recycling bin. A 5-gallon bucket with a few holes drilled in the bottom to let rain through works well.
- Yard waste: Leaves, branches, or other yard waste can be placed in a yard waste bag or can (32 gallons and 45 pounds max each). Branches can be bundled and tied securely with string or twine (do not use wire). Branches cannot exceed 36 inches in length and 4 inches in diameter. Set bags, cans, or bundles next to your green compost bin.
More information
Find up-to-date service delay information at www.portland.gov/garbage-delays.
Sign up to receive weekly garbage day reminders, including delay information, at www.portland.gov/garbageday.
Find a full list of City of Portland weather-related updates at www.portland.gov/omf/winterweatherservices.