For questions about your current service, contact your garbage and recycling company. You can find the garbage and recycling company’s name and phone number on your exterior garbage containers.  If you have additional questions or concerns, you can call our office at 503-823-7202.

Setting up new service

Portland businesses can choose a company (or “hauler”) from almost three dozen permitted garbage, recycling and composting collection companies. Businesses can negotiate service level, frequency and cost; rates are not set by the City. Contracts are not required by the City. Find more tips and requirements for setting up garbage and recycling.

Permitted commercial garbage and recycling companies

Note: If requested, all permitted commercial haulers are required to offer recycling and food waste collection. Haulers may subcontract the service through another hauler.

Tips for setting up service

Obtain multiple bids and negotiate. The City does not set rates for commercial service. Cost, number and size of containers, frequency of service and days and time of collection are all negotiable. Contact several different permitted companies to discuss your service needs and to get multiple bids.

Contracts are not required. The City does not require businesses to enter into a contract with a garbage and recycling company. If you choose to sign a contract for service, read the details; it may be difficult to change your levels or cost of service during the duration of your contract.

Recycling is required. All Portland businesses are required to recycle paper, plastic bottles, metal cans, and glass bottles and jars. All garbage companies are required to provide, when asked, service for recycling and compost.

Containers are provided by the garbage and recycling company. Roll carts or other external containers for garbage, recycling and compost collection will be provided by your garbage and recycling company. They are required to label all external containers with stickers that clearly identify the items that can go inside. Contact your garbage and recycling company if you would like additional stickers.

Get free support

Businesses can contact the Sustainability at Work program for free internal recycling boxes; signs to label your recycling, compost and garbage; and help educating your employees about what to recycle and compost. Contact: 503-823-7037 or sustainabilityatwork@portlandoregon.gov.

Property managers of multifamily communities can contact the city’s Multifamily Program for free signs to label waste collection areas and other education materials for residents. Contact: 503-823-7224 or multifamily@portlandoregon.gov.