Looking for information on litter & public trash? See Community cleanup resources.
The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability is developing new opportunities to collect household items that aren’t easily disposed of through regular garbage and recycling service. The following is an overview of current, in-progress, and future offerings:
What to do with large, bulky items
Find the following information on our new Large household waste disposal options webpage:
- Cost estimates of disposal options through your garbage and recycling company.
- Pickup options from other waste disposal companies.
- Drop-off (self-haul) options through Metro Transfer Stations.
- Donation options (drop-off and pick-up).
- Reuse and repair resources.
How to get rid of large household items
City-run waste collection events
Since 2022, the City of Portland has hosted Dumpster Day events around the city where residents of surrounding neighborhoods can dispose of large items. These events are organized by the Bureau of Planning and funded by the City 's Public Environment Management Office.
Community-led waste collection events
For community groups or neighborhood associations interested in organizing collection events for hard-to-dispose of items, we can offer guidance, including template event plans and marketing materials. Contact Monica Kelly for assistance.
Funding may be available for your event through Metro’s Regional Refresh Fund: review the funding guidelines.
For disposal options, including dumpsters or drop boxes, contact a few of Portland’s permitted commercial garbage and recycling companies to compare costs and container options. Contact Monica Kelly for suggestions of recycling and reuse organizations who may be interested in taking specific items for recycling (electronics, metal, Styrofoam, etc.) or reuse (furniture, bikes, tools, and more).
Community partnerships
Thanks to funding from Metro and the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, nonprofits serving priority communities have had the opportunity to remove unwanted, bulky materials that were creating unsafe or unhealthy situations in the home. Thank you to our 2022-2023 nonprofit partners who served over 600 households:
- Native American Youth Association
- Reach Community Development Corporation
- Rose Community Development Corporation
- Sabin Community Development Corporation
- Hacienda Community Development Corporation
- African American Alliance for Homeownership
- Trash for Peace
- Home Forward
- Guerreras Latinas
- NxNE Health Clinic
Are you a nonprofit that serves a community experiencing difficulty disposing of bulky, household materials? Please contact Monica Kelly.
History of Community Collection Events
From 1998 to 2020, the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, in partnership with Metro, offered funding and support to help neighborhood associations, community organizations, and nonprofits organize collection events for hard-to-dispose of household waste like furniture, mattresses, large appliances, and electronics. These events were originally called Neighborhood Cleanups and later renamed Community Collection Events. The events evolved to have a strong focus on recycling and reuse. Event organizers partnered with local recycling businesses and nonprofit organizations to salvage items otherwise destined for the landfill.
During this time, any group of community members could apply for funding through the District Coalition where the event or project took place. This included neighborhood associations as well as youth, school-based, faith-based and/or culturally specific organizations.
We thank the many passionate volunteers throughout Portland who made these community collection events a success.
Future bulky waste collection service
We are working on developing regularly occurring bulky waste collection for Portland residents, beginning with multifamily communities and lower-income households.
This work is happening in close partnership with Metro and neighboring counties and cities as part of the 2030 Regional Waste Plan.