Rates
Find out what's accepted and how much it costs.
Portland disposal site
Oregon City disposal site
Separate like items
Sort and separate recyclables in your load for a $3 rebate on your disposal charge for less than 100 pounds of recyclables, or a $6 rebate for 100 pounds or more. Put your recyclables on the top or at one end of your load, so they are easily separated at the transfer station. Separating other similar items, like wood or garbage, makes your drop-off easier.
Batteries are hazardous
Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries like the ones in many cell phones and computers. They can cause fires in piles of garbage or recycling. Keep all types of batteries separated from other materials.
Cover your load
Metro facilities charge a lower rate when you cover your load. Uncovered loads cause potential danger to other vehicles on the road if items fall off during transport, and can result in a littering fine. When in doubt, cover it up and tie it down.
Know what's in your load
Be prepared to describe the contents of your load to the attendant at the disposal site. If you've separated your recyclables, hazardous waste and appliances, you'll be directed to areas designated for those materials. Then you will dispose of the remainder of your load inside the transfer station.
Have questions about what is or is not accepted at Metro’s disposal sites?
Search items in Metro's online tool
Test for asbestos before you go
Certain kinds of building materials require proof that they contain less than 1 percent asbestos. Before starting demolition work, check the list of materials that need to be tested and send samples of each suspect material to an approved lab to be tested.
Take a printed copy of recent lab test results and a completed Construction Waste and Demolition form to the transfer station with your load.
Learn more about asbestos
Handle hazardous waste safely
You can also bring hazardous waste to a neighborhood collection event. Items like pesticides, fluorescent bulbs or medical sharps are considered hazardous waste and should not be mixed with other garbage. These items need to be disposed of separately at one of Metro's hazardous waste facilities – they’re located at Metro’s garbage and recycling sites but have shorter operating hours.
Find out if what you have is hazardous waste
Preparing hazardous waste
Preparing your hazardous items for transport and disposal will minimize risks to you, your family and Metro staff from spills or dangerous mixing of chemicals.
- Keep products in original containers. If a product does not have its original label, label it yourself if you're sure of the contents to help staff dispose of your materials safely and correctly. Don't guess.
- Do not mix products together. Dangerous reactions can occur when some materials are mixed.
- Make sure products are properly sealed to prevent leaks and spills. If a container is leaking, secure it in a secondary leak-proof container, such as an empty bucket, and make sure it stays upright. Enclosing items in ziplock-style bags can help protect you from any off-gassing in your vehicle.
- Pack containers upright in a single layer in sturdy boxes in the trunk of your vehicle, away from the driver, passengers, pets, heat, sparks or flames. Please do not transport hazardous items in plastic garbage bags.
- Be prepared to leave the container. Boxes and containers, including fuel cans, cannot be returned.
- Medical syringes must be in approved sharps containers.