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
Cut the tree and place in bin or pay $3.70 (extra yard debris) fee
Tree and greenery recycling information for Beaverton
Clackamas County (including all or parts of the communities of Canby, Estacada, Gladstone, Happy Valley, Lake Oswego, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sandy, West Linn and Wilsonville)
Tree and greenery recycling information for Clackamas County
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.
Gresham
Apartments and businesses: contact your property manager for tree disposal options.
Houses: Cut trees to fit inside the yard debris cart for no charge. The lid must close. No flocked trees ornaments, wires, tinsel, etc.Whole, natural trees less than 6 feet may be set at the curb for an extra $3.91 fee. Trees over 6 feet tall must be cut into sections less than 6 feet in length. Each section at the curb is a $3.91 fee. Set flocked trees, less than 6 feet, out for garbage for a $5.50 fee. Flocked trees over 6 feet tall must be cut into sections less than 6 feet in length. Each section at the curb is a $5.50 fee.
Tree recycling information for Gresham
Maywood Park
Contact your hauler for curbside pickup guidelines.
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.
Portland
Cut up trees may be placed in the green curbside compost roll cart. Be sure not to overfill 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 $5.25 per tree charge. If a tree is over 6 feet, it must be cut in half for handling and safety purposes. No additional fees are added for trees cut in half. For flocked trees, contact your hauler.
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.
Troutdale
Cut trees into sections no more than 4 feet in length and 4 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. All decorations must be removed. 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 (including all or parts of the communities of Cornelius, Durham, Forest Grove, Hillsboro, King City, North Plains, Sherwood and Tigard)
Tree and greenery recycling information for Washington County
Wood Village
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 from tinsel, ornaments, wires, plastic or other non-organic materials. No flocked trees in the yard debris. Flocked trees will be collected as garbage and must be put out as extra garbage for pickup with an extra charge.