Garbage service for multifamily properties

Information
An outdoor garbage and recycling area at an apartment complex. Grey dumpster labeled as garbage, blue dumpster labeled as recycling, and two orange roll carts labeled as glass recycling.
Learn how to set up garbage, recycling, and compost collection service for your multifamily property. This includes apartments, condos, townhomes, and any residential community with five or more units.
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Set up service

As an owner or manager of a multifamily property in Portland, you can choose any of the permitted garbage, recycling, and composting collection companies (or "haulers") to work with.

You can negotiate service level, frequency of pickup, and cost. Contracts are not required by the City.

Find a commercial garbage company

Tips for setting up service

Ask other businesses for recommendations. Connect with other property managers in your company or in the neighborhood. Ask how their garbage and recycling company is working for them.

Obtain multiple bids and negotiate. The City does not set rates for commercial service. Cost, number and size of containers, frequency of pickup, 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.

Know your required service levels. Calculate your property's required minimum service levels and then talk with garbage companies about whether you may need more containers or more frequent pickup to avoid overflowing containers. The City requires you to provide mixed recycling (paper, plastic and metal), glass recycling, and garbage service. Compost collection is optional.

Identify the best location. Ensure collection trucks easily access your waste bins. When possible, outside is best. The company you select will provide the roll carts or dumpsters for garbage and recycling collection.

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.

Establish a successful relationship your garbage and recycling company to help you establish and maintain a clean, effective and successful collection area. Contact them with:

  • Questions about recycling and composting
  • Requests for collection of bulky items, such as furniture and mattresses
  • Service requests to adjust containers, collection time, days and frequency
  • Questions about billing and account information or other concerns

Get free support

We can help you prevent mistakes before they happen, and save time and money in the process. We’re available by phone, email and in person. Get free resources today.

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You can also request free recycling signs and educational materials for your residents:

Order free materials