PORTLAND, Ore. — After icy, hazardous roads delayed trash collection for a week, companies are working to remove garbage piling up around Portland.
Residents with unemptied bins can leave their garbage at the curb. If it wasn't picked up last week, collection services will come as soon as possible, the city said. Otherwise, cans should be left out on their regular collection day. Residents may also set out twice as much as recycling this week with no extra charge, due to the delay in last week's pickup.
Some waste collection services, like compost, may be delayed to next week. However, similar to recycling, residents will be able to set out extra yard waste.
The city said last week's storm caused a "nearly unprecedented" disruption in Portland's waste collection system. Hazardous road conditions and closures of key collection facilities resulted in many garbage companies being unable to collect for the entire week.
Here are the rules on how to set out extra recycling and yard waste, provided by the city:
- Recycling: Put recyclables in a cardboard box or a paper bag and set next to your blue recycling bin.
- Cardboard: First, flatten boxes and cut cardboard into smaller pieces to fit as much as possible into your recycling bin. Then flatten all remaining cardboard, bundle it together, secure the bundle with tape, and lean the bundle against your blue recycling bin.
- Glass: You can set out any rigid plastic container filled with glass bottles and jars next to your regular glass recycling bin. A 5-gallon bucket with a few holes drilled in the bottom to let rain through works well.
- Yard waste: Leaves, branches, or other yard waste can be placed in a yard waste bag or can (32 gallons and 45 pounds max each). Branches can be bundled and tied securely with string or twine (do not use wire). Branches cannot exceed 36 inches in length and 4 inches in diameter. Set bags, cans, or bundles next to your green compost bin.
For fallen tree and branches, here are some disposal options.