Trash & Recycling in Portland, OR (2026)
4 verified trash & recycling rules for Portland, Oregon, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Portland's residential garbage and recycling collection is managed through a franchised hauler system overseen by the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. Garbage is collected every other week while recycling and food scraps/yard debris are collected weekly. The system was restructured in 2011 to reduce waste and increase recycling rates.
Portland Trash Pickup Schedules & Rules
Some RestrictionsBin Placement Rules
Portland requires garbage and recycling containers to be placed at the curb by 6 AM on collection day with lids closed and handles facing the street. Containers must be removed from the curb by midnight on collection day and stored out of public view between collections.
Portland Trash Bin Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsBulk Item Disposal
Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) administers residential garbage and recycling, but bulky-waste pickup is not included in the standard franchised service. Residents take large items to Metro's Central or South Transfer Stations, schedule paid bulky pickup with their assigned hauler, or use BPS-funded community cleanup events. Illegal dumping is enforced under PCC 17.36.
Portland Bulky Waste Disposal (BPS + Metro Transfer Stations)
Few RestrictionsRecycling Requirements
Since October 2011, Portland has required every single-family and small multi-family household (4 units and under) to subscribe to weekly curbside composting service through Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS). The standard three-cart system — gray garbage (every other week), blue recycling (weekly), green compost (weekly) — is mandatory under PCC 17.102, and food scraps must be placed in the green compost cart.
Portland Mandatory Curbside Composting and Recycling (BPS since 2011)
Some RestrictionsLooking for Multnomah County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Portland city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Multnomah County →