Solid waste enforcement

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Metro monitors and enforces garbage and recycling requirements as part of its responsibility to oversee the Portland area's garbage and recycling system to protect people and the environment.

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Metro solid waste enforcement inspectors Will Ennis and Hila Ritter are wearing hard hats, yellow safety jackets, and masks, and stand next to an autoclave inside a transfer station in greater Portland.

A Metro employee wearing a reflective safety vest stands in front of a large pile of tree debris and waste during an enforcement inspection of a solid waste disposal facility in greater Portland.

How to report violations

Report dumped garbage online using the RID Reporter.

Report a dump

Submit a complaint about a garbage or recycling facility using the online form.

Submit a complaint

As the regional solid waste authority, Metro has the responsibility to ensure that all garbage and recyclable materials generated in the greater Portland area are managed in a way that protects public health and safety, and safeguards the environment. Metro's responsibility and authority to manage the region's garbage and recycling system is derived from the Oregon Constitution, Metro Charter, and Oregon Revised Statutes (Chapter 268 and Chapter 459). Metro fulfills its responsibility to the public by overseeing the region's system and enforcing requirements in addition to providing solid waste programs, services and facilities. Metro and local governments work together to manage the system and the 2030 Regional Waste Plan is the current guide for greater Portland's garbage and recycling system.

Metro Code Title V governs the requirements for garbage and recycling, or "solid waste," generated in the region. Metro monitors garbage and recycling activities to ensure that waste is properly managed in accordance with Metro Code, solid waste administrative rules, and Metro issued authorizations. Metro uses a variety of methods to make sure that individuals and businesses understand and comply with the region's garbage and recycling requirements. Metro does this through education, technical assistance, or enforcement as necessary.

Metro strives to resolve garbage and recycling compliance issues in a manner that is:

Equitable and proactive
Predictable and consistent
Timely and appropriate
Clear and understandable
Most effective to achieve compliance and deter future violations
Appropriate based on the circumstances, such as compliance history or human/environmental impacts.

Metro considers a variety of factors when determining an enforcement approach or other methods to achieve compliance. These factors may include:

Seriousness and magnitude of a violation
Impact or threat to public health or the environment
Compliance history and whether a violation is a recurring offense
Whether a violation involves non-payment of Metro regional system fee and/or excise tax
Economic benefits resulting from the violation.

Metro investigates and evaluates these and other aggravating or mitigating circumstances when determining a civil enforcement action, which may include fines and other penalties. Monetary penalties that Metro receives from a garbage and recycling enforcement action are generally intended to recover costs incurred as a result of the violation and are deposited in the regional solid waste fund. The fund is used for regional garbage and recycling activities related to managing, planning, and administering Metro's solid waste system.

In 2023, Metro began publishing notices of violation to provide greater transparency and accountability to the public and to encourage compliance.

Learn more about Metro’s requirements for regulated solid waste activities

View current Metro authorizations

Equity and accountability in enforcement

Metro seeks to apply environmental justice in the investment of public dollars and its regulatory oversight of the regional garbage and recycling system. Metro leverages its critical role in the region to help create a healthier, more just future and is accountable for implementing public policy. Metro is committed to ensuring that the region has an effective garbage and recycling system that serves everyone. Metro demonstrates this commitment by enforcing garbage and recycling requirements to minimize harm to the public and protect the environment.

In 2020, Metro formed an internal Compliance Advisory Team to recommend approaches to achieve compliance and reduce harm. Metro's enforcement decision making processes, practices and mechanisms center racial equity, environmental justice, trauma-informed practices, and are informed by the input of staff who are equity leaders. The Compliance Advisory Team includes individual perspectives, technical expertise and lived experiences of youth interns, BIPOC staff and equity leaders in enforcement decision making processes.

Metro prioritizes providing education and technical assistance to encourage voluntary compliance with solid waste requirements; however, enforcement action may be necessary if warranted by the circumstances. Metro aims to foster a culture of proactive information sharing, compliance and continuous improvement rather than solely focusing on punitive measures. In cases where violations occur, Metro strives to stop unlawful conduct and resolve the matter efficiently and effectively while providing necessary support.

Notices of Violation are made available to provide greater transparency for the public and encourage compliance with Metro Code and Metro Administrative Rules. You can access additional records by submitting a public records request.

Notices of Violation by year

2023

NOV-449-23 issued to Riverbend Landfill Co.

Unauthorized transport of solid waste generate within the Metro region. Issued Jan. 27, 2023.

286.97 KB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Jan 27, 2023

2022

NOV-445-22 issued to Wood Waste Management, LLC

Failure to notify Metro of an enforcement action. Issued Oct. 18, 2022.

308.81 KB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Oct 18, 2022

NOV-441-22 issued to Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc.

Operating a solid waste facility without authorization from Metro. Issued Feb. 16, 2022.

343.43 KB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Feb 16, 2022

NOV-440-22 issued to WestRock Portland Recycle

Improper storage of source-separated recyclable materials and failure to follow Metro-approved operating plan. Issued Feb. 24, 2022.

350.73 KB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Feb 24, 2022

NOV-439-22 issued to Evergreen Disposal and Recycling, Inc.

Failure to comply with Non-System License. Issued Feb. 14, 2022.

302.85 KB Adobe Acrobat PDF Published Feb 14, 2022

2021 and prior

You can obtain information about enforcement actions issued in 2021 and prior by submitting a public records request.

Contesting Metro enforcement

A party that receives an authorization, notice of violation or a citation from Metro can challenge that decision via a contested case hearing. If a party seeks a contested case hearing for a garbage and recycling authorization, violation or citation, the party must submit to Metro a written request for a hearing within 30 days of the date that Metro mails or issues the enforcement action.

Contested case hearing requests should be sent to the attention of Metro’s solid waste compliance coordinator Hila Ritter by email to [email protected] or by mail to Metro Regional Center, 600 NE Grand Ave. Portland, OR 97232.