Garbage and recycling service standard updates

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How should garbage and recycling services meet the needs of residents and businesses? Metro has adopted new standards to improve service to multifamily housing in greater Portland.

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blue recycling bins against a yellow wall

Learn about the proposed changes

Improving recycling in greater Portland

The regional service standard sets the base level of service for government recycling collection programs in greater Portland. Long overdue for a code update, the proposed changes aim to improve recycling in the region, especially for people living in apartments.

Learn about the proposed changes

Garbage and recycling in apartments

People who live in apartments face unique challenges when dealing with garbage and recycling. There is often not enough bin space for the entire complex, leaving people with few options to get rid of bulky waste. Inconsistent signage and colors on recycling bins makes recycling confusing.

The people of greater Portland are avid recyclers, but there are barriers to recycling for people who live in multifamily housing.

People in apartments and condominiums often have less recycling space per person compared to those living in single family homes. Apartment garbage and recycling bins can be confusing, which makes good recycling practices more difficult.

Metro has improved recycling services to multifamily housing by making changes to the regional service standard code. This code sets the standard for all recycling collection programs in greater Portland. Proposed changes include minimum collection standards and standardized recycling bin colors.

Now Metro's chief operating officer is considering administrative rules to provide additional details on how these improvements will be implemented.

What do you think? If you live in a multifamily home would these service improvements help make recycling easier for you? Your input will help shape the update to Metro's regional service standard.

Next steps

Dec. 14
Draft rule posted

Jan. 11 to Feb. 11
Public comment period

Jan. 21
Public hearing

Feb. 18
Public comment report posted

Feb. 26
Metro's chief operating officer considers adoption

March 10
Effective date of code, and rule is effective 30 days after adoption by Metro's chief operating officer

Fact sheets

Featured news

The future of recycling: We all can help shape it

By Faith Cathcart
Feb. 4, 2020 3:26 p.m.

Shifts in international recycling markets continue to drive changes in Oregon's recycling system. Consumers, product manufacturers, and sorting facilities all play a part in recycling's future.
Metro Council adopts 2030 Regional Waste Plan

By Faith Cathcart
March 7, 2019 2:30 p.m.

Metro Council voted today to approve a plan that will shape the way greater Portland manages the garbage and recycling system for the next 12 years – including everything from the way products are made to how to shape jobs in the industry.

More garbage and recycling news

Fact sheets

Featured news

The future of recycling: We all can help shape it

Metro Council adopts 2030 Regional Waste Plan

Regional Waste Plan

Multifamily recycling research

Contact

Fact sheets

Featured news

The future of recycling: We all can help shape it

Metro Council adopts 2030 Regional Waste Plan

Related work

Regional Waste Plan

Multifamily recycling research

Contact