Information for construction and demolition waste businesses

Doing business › Solid waste franchising and licensing › Construction and demolition waste info

If you generate or collect mixed construction and demolition waste and deliver it to a processing or disposal facility not licensed, franchised, or designated by Metro you must have a Metro non-system license.

New requirements for disposal of construction and demolition debris

Metro’s Enhanced Dry Waste Recovery Program, developed to further increase the amount of recyclable materials recovered in the region, may change the disposal options for waste haulers, generators and construction contractors. The new requirements affect the disposal and processing of mixed dry waste – primarily construction and demolition debris – generated in the metro region. Read frequently asked questions to learn whether the new requirements impact the way you do business. Download the FAQ

Progress report: January 2012

Approximately 20 percent of the region’s dry waste is from construction and demolition activity. Prior to 2009, generators and haulers could choose to directly dispose of dry waste at low-cost landfills. The Metro Council established the Enhanced Dry Waste Recovery Program to increase recovery of recyclables by requiring that all dry waste be sorted for recovery prior to disposal. Read a progress report that describes the effect the program has had on dry waste recovery.Download the report

If you are a business that hauls trash, recyclables or construction waste, there are some things you should know. Metro provides information about recycling options that could save you money. In addition, by following Metro's regulations for hauling waste, you know you are operating within the law.

Save money

Metro encourages individuals and businesses that create waste and haulers that collect it to recycle as much as possible. Before you head to the transfer station or landfill, consider these options and resources that could help you increase your recycling and also save you money:

Construction industry recycling toolkit is a handy reference guide that helps contractors and developers recycle construction debris. It has recycling facility locations and distances, descriptions of accepted materials, and helpful maps.
BoneyardNW is a completely free service connecting buyers and sellers of used commercial construction materials in the Portland metropolitan area.
NWMaterialsmart.com is an online gateway with thousands of options for buying, selling, and exchanging unwanted and surplus materials.

Still need to go to a landfill? Follow these rules.

All mixed waste generated inside the Metro region must be delivered to a Metro-authorized facility whether it is intended to be recycled or disposed. This requirement applies to all haulers and generators in the Metro region regardless of whether they use disposal facilities inside or outside of the Metro boundary. These regulations help support recycling efforts and also ensure that appropriate Metro fees and taxes are collected. See the new highlight and a frequently asked question on this page for additional information about Metro's Enhanced Dry Waste Program.

Approved disposal options for mixed construction and demolition waste located inside the metro region include:

Metro's transfer stations located in Portland and Oregon City
Forest Grove Transfer Station in Forest Grove
Pride Disposal and Recycling in Sherwood
Troutdale Transfer Station in Troutdale
Willamette Resources, Inc. in Wilsonville
ECR in Portland
GreenWay Recycling in Portland
K.B. Recycling in Clackamas
Suttle Road Recovery Facility in Portland
Foster Road Recovery Facility in Portland
Tualatin Valley Waste Recovery (at Hillsboro Landfill) in Washington County

The out-of-region facilities that are approved to accept waste generated from within the metro region have agreements with Metro to collect fees and taxes for Metro at the gate. If you want to dispose of waste anywhere else outside of the region, you first need to obtain a non-system license from Metro. Download non-system license applications

Hauling solid waste from within the Metro boundary to a non-approved facility may result in prosecution by Metro for recovery of unpaid fees and taxes plus civil penalties of up to $500 per violation.

If you have any questions regarding which facilities are authorized to accept waste from the Metro region or if you want additional information regarding non-system license requirements, please contact Warren Johnson.

Need assistance?

Warren Johnson
503-797-1836
warren.johnson@oregonmetro.gov

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