Garbage or recycling?
Most types of plastic packaging are trash. Plastic bags and plastic wrap may be recycled at some grocery stores or depots. Otherwise, it all goes in the garbage bin.
Block Styrofoam is accepted for recycling at two depots in greater Portland. Otherwise it goes in the garbage bin.
Save Styrofoam peanuts to use again or check with packaging stores who may reuse them. Otherwise they are garbage.
Find recycling options with Metro's online tool.
Toss less next year
From gift-giving to clean-up, use these tips to reduce waste at home and cut costs.
Recycle your tree with your curbside yard debris collection service
Residents with yard debris collection programs can recycle their trees at home. Tree preparation requirements and fees vary throughout greater Portland. For details, call your local solid waste and recycling office, ask Metro at 503-234-3000, or your garbage hauler.
Or support a nonprofit fundraiser
Many nonprofit organizations offer pickup services or drop-off locations where you can take Christmas trees and wreaths to be recycled. Providing this service not only helps communities properly dispose of trees, but also raises money for worthwhile causes with a small fee or a request for a donation.
Find a pickup service using Metro's online database
When these groups are no longer providing tree disposal services, you can either take your tree to a yard debris processing facility or use your home yard debris collection service.
Prep your tree for recycling
Most trees are turned into wood chips or compost. Nonorganic materials aren't good for these purposes and some can ruin a chipping machine.
To prep your tree for recycling, remove all lights, wire, tinsel, ornaments, nails, stands and other materials that are not part of the original tree.
Some tree recycling requirements depend on where you live. You may need to place your tree in your yard debris bin in a way that it slides out easily. Larger trees may need to be cut in half. If you aren’t sure what’s best, ask Metro.
Some groups or businesses do not accept flocked trees.
Christmas wreaths and swags can usually be recycled with trees. Most recyclers ask that all frames and wire be removed. If you opt for a nonprofit pickup service, check to see what they accept – some groups take only the trees.
Information for your jurisdiction
Find your garbage hauler
Beaverton
Tree and greenery recycling information for Beaverton
Canby, inside city limits (see Clackamas County)
Clackamas County, unincorporated inside the urban growth boundary
If you have residential yard debris pickup, a tree counts as a regular yard debris set-out. It must fit into the yard debris cart with the lid closed. If it doesn’t, cut it in half or thirds and put it out in the yard debris cart. If it is too large to fit in the cart, the pieces can be put out over more than one week. A tree set out for pickup that is not in the yard debris cart may incur an extra charge. No tinsel, decorations or stands. Flocked trees are accepted
Cornelius (see Washington County)
Durham (see Washington County)
Estacada
No yard debris program.
Fairview
Tree can be placed out in lieu of regular yard debris on scheduled pick-up day at no extra charge. Trees over 8 feet tall should be cut in half. Flocked trees cannot be recycled curbside. Stands, ornaments, and other foreign matter must be removed.
Forest Grove (see Washington County)
Gladstone (see Clackamas County)
Gresham
Cut trees and greenery into lengths that easily fit in the yard debris roll cart (36 inches or less) with the lid closed. Trees and debris must be able to fall freely from the cart into the truck when tipped. Include only trees, wreaths, plants and swags that are free of tinsel, ornaments, wires, plastic or other materials. Whole natural trees (not flocked) under 6 feet or additional yard debris set out not in the cart will be assessed an additional fee of $3.56. Trees over 6 feet will not be collected unless cut in half. Each half of the tree not in the cart will assess an additional fee of $3.56. Wrap flocked trees and put out as extra garbage pickup for a $4.86 fee. If you are not able to cut your tree, contact your hauler for options.
Happy Valley (see Clackamas County)
Hillsboro (see Washington County)
King City (see Washington County)
Lake Oswego, inside the urban growth boundary (see Clackamas County)
Maywood Park
Contact your hauler for curbside pickup guidelines.
Milwaukie (see Clackamas County)
Molalla, inside city limits
Trees can be set out on collection day for 2-3 weeks after Christmas, no charge for pick up. If the tree is taller than 8 feet, cut it in half.
North Plains (see Washington County)
Oregon City, inside the urban growth boundary (see Clackamas County)
Portland
Cut up trees and tree trimmings may be placed in the green curbside compost roll cart. Be sure not to over- fill or pack down the tree material. The lid must be closed and debris must fall freely from the cart. Whole trees can be placed next to the composting cart and collected on your regularly scheduled collection day by your hauler. There is a $5 per tree charge. If a tree is over 6 ft, it must be cut in half for handling and safety purposes. No additional fees are added for trees cut in half. Flocked trees are not accepted.
Sandy, inside city limits (see Clackamas County)
Note: The Clackamas County Garbage and Recycling Transfer Station (formerly known as the Sandy Transfer Station) only accepts trees as garbage. Customers will be charged the garbage rate.
Sherwood (see Washington County)
Tigard (see Washington County)
Troutdale
Cut trees into sections no more than four feet in length and four four inches in diameter to be placed in the yard debris cart with the lid closed. Trees set outside of the debris cart will incur extra charges depending on size. Please contact Waste Management customer service at 1-800-808-5901 with questions.
Tualatin, inside the urban growth boundary
A tree counts as a regular yard debris set-out. It must fit into the yard debris cart with the lid closed. If it doesn’t, cut it in half or thirds and put it out in the yard debris cart. If it is too large to fit in the can, the pieces can be put out over more than one week. Trees set out for pickup that are not in the yard debris cart may incur an extra charge. Flocked trees are accepted.
Washington County
Tree and greenery recycling information for Washington County
West Linn, inside the urban growth boundary (see Clackamas County)
Wilsonville, inside the urban growth boundary (see Clackamas County)
Wood Village
Residential customers may recycle trees in place of regular yard debris set out at no extra charge. Trees over 6 feet tall must be cut in half. There will be an extra fee of $4.84 for any additional yard waste collected the same week as your tree. Flocked trees are accepted as extra garbage pickup for a $4.84 fee per six-foot sections. Trees with tinsel or ornaments may not be recycled; remove those items.