Regional system facilities plan

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How do we build a system that reduces waste and increases access, while maintaining affordability? Learn how Metro is planning to expand and improve reuse, recycling and garbage facilities in greater Portland.

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A recycling depot where a person has backed their car up to a space to drop off materials

El Cerrito Recycling and Environmental Resource Center near Richmond, California. Photograph by David Wakely Photography

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 the construction of community drop-off depots like the El Cerrito Recycling and Environmental Resource Center near Richmond, California. Photograph by David Wakely Photography

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.

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 Regional 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 December of 2024 when Metro Council will consider whether or not to adopt the plan.