Garbage and recycling system facilities plan

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How can we provide excellent garbage and recycling services for everyone? Learn how Metro is planning to expand and improve garbage and recycling facilities in greater Portland.

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An image of the Factoria transfer center in Bellevue, Washington

The Garbage and Recycling System Facilities Plan will survey the regional garbage, recycling and reuse system and plan for a future where everyone has access to needed facilities and services. This may include construction of modern facilities like the Factoria Recycling and Transfer Station in Bellevue, Washington.

An image of a bulky waste collection event

People in the region are struggling to dispose of large items that don’t fit in their garbage bins. The system facilities plan is one project working to make bulky waste disposal more convenient and accessible.

An image of household hazardous waste being collected

Households are full of materials like cleaners, paints, batteries and lightbulbs, none of which should be thrown in the trash. People want to dispose of things the right way; the system facilities plan aims to make it easier to do so.

An image of sinks at the Rebuilding Center

There is a thriving reuse community in greater Portland, like the Rebuilding Center organization which finds new uses for discarded building materials. This project will assess reuse hubs and work towards greater connection and partnerships.

The System Facilities Plan will also look at non-facility solutions to improve access to recycling services like this mobile recycling depot in Devon County.

People in greater Portland need better access to services in our garbage and recycling system. Beyond curbside collection, people need convenient and affordable ways to get rid of large items and hazardous waste.

Some people have easy disposal options if they live close to a Metro transfer station, but many people in the region do not. And as the region grows, more investment is needed to ensure that everyone, no matter where they live, has equal access to garbage and recycling services.

Metro is developing a Garbage and Recycling System Facilities Plan. This project will assess the current public, private, and non-profit garbage, recycling and reuse infrastructure in the region. The work will identify the places where people lack services, and present potential plans for future investments in new facilities or new services.

The work will be completed in five phases from February 2022 until the winter of 2023 when Metro Council will consider whether or not to adopt the plan.

Calendar

News

Advisory group tours facilities, helps plan for the future

By Arashi Young
April 19, 2023 2:15 p.m.

Metro’s community advisory group for the garbage and recycling system facilities plan visited four facilities to learn about challenges and opportunities in the regional garbage and recycling system.
Future Metro South to pause the active search for a new transfer station site

Dec. 23, 2021 9:43 a.m.

Metro project staff will pause the active search for a new site and shift focus to plan for regional garbage and recycling needs.