Prohibited materials
Certain materials are not covered by and prohibited from being collected using Metro's disposal vouchers, including:
- hazardous waste
- construction, demolition and remodeling debris
- kitchen garbage
- residential yard debris and trimmings
- waste and recyclables collected curbside
- commercial landscaping
- roofing
- waste not allowed at a regional transfer station.
Metro's community cleanup disposal voucher program supports cleanups sponsored by neighborhood associations, local governments, public agencies and eligible nonprofit organizations. These projects enhance the appearance and safety of neighborhoods and contribute to the livability of the region. The vouchers cover the disposal costs of bulky waste and nonrecyclable materials that are collected during cleanup events.
Contact your local hauler to inquire about rental or donation of dumpsters. Metro’s disposal vouchers pay only for disposal of the waste at a local transfer station (the "tipping fee").
Qualifying events
- neighborhood or community cleanups
- events with a focus on waste reduction or recycling
Events should provide benefit to the public at large and cannot solely benefit one organization or that organization's membership.
Eligibility for disposal vouchers
- Your organization must be a local government, neighborhood association or a qualified nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
- You must apply for disposal vouchers at least 14 days prior to an event.
- You must not contract with for-profit organizations to collect, process or sell used goods.
- You must recognize Metro as a sponsor on all marketing materials.
- You must include a web link, .pdf or other samples of marketing materials with your application.
- You must provide opportunities at your event for reuse and recycling.
- You cannot use Metro’s disposal vouchers to benefit any religious function of any religious group.
- You are required to complete and return the event summary form within 30 days of your event or be subject to a one-year disqualification from the program. Your summary should include the amount and types of waste collected and recycled at your events, samples of event publicity, photo of reuse and recycling station, and number of people served.
- You must use the vouchers by the expiration date, and return to Metro any unused vouchers no later than 30 days after your event.
- There is a $5,000 annual limit per agency (depending upon fund availability).
Apply online for a disposal voucher
Program background
In 2009 the Metro Council approved $100,000 in funding for the community cleanup disposal voucher program, and directed staff to clearly define the qualifying criteria for organizations and events; to continue to call for waste reduction, education and recycling at cleanup events; to improve program user accountability and administrative efficiency; and to increase outreach about the availability of the program.
To achieve these goals, some modifications to the program were implemented Jan. 1, 2010. Disposal vouchers may no longer be used for residential yard debris and curbside cleanup events are no longer eligible. Qualifying events must have a primary focus on community cleanup, and event organizers are now required to complete and return an event summary form within 30 days of the event.