Residential recycling follows Metro's regional list: paper, cardboard, metal cans, and plastic bottles/jars/jugs in the mixed recycling cart; glass in a separate bin. Contamination (plastic bags, film, clamshells, Styrofoam, food waste) results in skipped pickups.
Washington County recycling aligns with Metro Code Chapter 5.01 and Oregon's Recycling Modernization Act (SB 582, 2021), which takes full effect July 2025 and dramatically expands the accepted-materials list through producer responsibility. Current curbside list: newspaper, magazines, office paper, cardboard (flattened), metal cans (aluminum, steel), and plastic bottles/jars/jugs (no lids/caps/clamshells). Glass goes in a separate bin because Oregon ships most glass to regional remanufacturing. NOT accepted curbside: plastic bags, plastic film, clamshells, plastic cups, Styrofoam, plastic utensils, needles, batteries, electronics, or yard debris. Food-soiled paper/cardboard (pizza boxes with grease) goes in garbage, not recycling. Multi-family complexes above 5 units must provide recycling service under Metro rules. Oregon's Bottle Bill (ORS 459A.700-750) pays 10 cents for most beverage containers at BottleDrop locations in Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, and Aloha. Yard debris accepted in separate cart year-round; food scraps program in expansion via Metro.
Contaminated carts: tagged and skipped; repeat contamination: surcharge $15-$50 per occurrence. Multi-family non-compliance with recycling: $250-$1,000 Metro/city fine.
Washington County, OR
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See how Washington County's recycling requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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