Multnomah County, OR Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Governs
- Unincorporated county only, not Portland
- Multi-family threshold
- 5+ units require regular recycling pickup
- Business duty
- Source-separate materials, post signage
- Enforcement
- Civil penalty or license suspension/revocation
- Adopted
- Ord. 1207, April 10, 2014
Summary
Multnomah County licenses trash haulers to collect recycling from unincorporated-area homes and businesses, requiring multi-family complexes of five or more units to get regular recyclable pickup unless the Director grants an exception.
Licensees and their subcontractors
will provide solid waste and recycling collection and
drop box service in compliance with license terms,
applicable local, state, and federal laws, including the
Residential Service Standard and the Business
Recycling Requirement, and the rules adopted under
this subchapter.
ii. Provide weekly on-route collection of all standard recycling materials, unless granted and exception by the Director.
b. For multi-family residences, the
licensee will provide regular collection of standard
recyclable materials for each multi-family dwelling
community having five or more unites, unless granted
an exception by the Director.
c. For businesses, the licensee will
provide regular collection of standard recyclable
materials, unless granted an exception by the Director.
d. The licensee will provide a recycling
education and promotion program to all customers
that supports solid waste management according to the
waste reduction hierarchy described in the
administrative rules.
(Ord. 1207, added, 4/10/14)
Full Breakdown
Under Multnomah County Code Chapter 27, the county licenses private haulers to collect solid waste and recycling in the unincorporated area only. Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview and Wood Village run their own systems under city code. Licensees must collect recyclables under the Residential Service Standard and Business Recycling Requirement, set by county rule and the Metro Regional Solid Waste Management Plan. Multi-family communities with five or more units get regular collection of standard recyclable materials unless the Director grants an exception, and businesses must source-separate recyclables, provide containers, and post sorting signage per the Department of Community Services' administrative rules.
Violations & Fines
Failing to meet license terms, the Residential Service Standard, or the Business Recycling Requirement is a violation; the Director can issue a written notice, and an uncorrected violation can bring civil penalties, license suspension, or license revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this cover Portland?
How much recycling service must my apartment building get?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Multnomah County
Compare Multnomah County to another location·View the Oregon trash & recycling overview
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