Have a say: Tomorrow’s garbage and recycling facilities are being planned today

Community members laugh as they participate in a planning meeting

Community members and Metro staff talk about garbage and recycling challenges and solutions for the 2030 Regional Waste Plan.

map of greater Portland showing locations of Metro transfer stations

For the people living and working in Washington County, it’s difficult to access Metro transfer stations in Oregon City and NW Portland. Depending on where they are in Washington County, it can be a 25 to 35 mile drive.

Hazardous waste techs at Metro South transfer station banter while they sort materials

Metro employees at Metro South transfer station recieve and sort hazardous household materials — like pesticides, paint, automotive fluids and batteries — brought in by community members. A new recycling and transfer center on the west side will make it easier for people to safely dispose of hazardous waste. And expansion of services at Metro South can help broaden community services.

A person in a pickup drives out of Metro South transfer station after dropping of materials to be recycled or sent to landfill

Population growth has led to significant increases in the number of comercial and residential vehicles dropping things off at Metro South transfer station. On weekends, it's not uncommon to see long lines of vehicles spill onto public streets. Expansion there is expected to ease the traffic strain.

March 3, 2020 11:30 a.m.

There is a growing need to expand and modernize our region’s garbage and recycling system. Metro seeks youth and adults from diverse backgrounds to serve on advisory groups that will help plan new recycling and transfer centers. Applications accepted until May 15, 2020.

This story is available in Spanish and Russian.

Metro is responsible for overseeing the garbage and recycling system in Washington, Clackamas, and Multnomah counties. It’s currently in the process of expanding capacity and services at Metro South transfer station — while also planning to build a new facility in Washington County.

Between 2000 and 2019, Greater Portland gained about 374,000 new people. That’s according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the mapping company Esri. Washington County saw the greatest population growth — at 36.5% — during that time.

“The demographics have changed. We’ve seen population growth on the west side especially and south side too,” says Matt Tracy, a principal planner at Metro. “But we haven’t built a transfer station in almost thirty years.”

That’s about to change.

Two new facilities, many opportunities to get involved

Interested in being a member of the Cornelius community advisory group?

Learn more

Interested in being a member of the Metro South community advisory group?

Learn more.

For the people living and working in Washington County, it’s difficult to access Metro transfer stations in Oregon City and NW Portland. A new, state-of-the-art Metro garbage and recycling center on the west side would make it easier for people to drop off items destined for garbage, compost, recycling or reuse.

And population growth in Clackamas County has put a strain on the aging Metro South transfer station — where there’s been a 16% increase in customers over the past decade. Expansion there will lead to new jobs, improved service and access to environmental education.

The path toward creating both facilities requires your help. ”The process we are going through now is very different from thirty years ago,” says Tracy. Participation on the advisory group for either location will help shape what the facilities can offer the surrounding communities.

What to expect

Metro is in the early stages of multi-year plans that will engage local governments, businesses and community members. At this early phase in the planning process, duties for both community advisory groups will be limited to:

providing input to Metro staff that will inform Metro Council’s final decision to identify and purchase ideal sites for both new facilities.
meeting approximately seven to eight times over the spring and summer of 2020.

All advisory group members will receive stipends for their service. Future planning phases will offer other opportunities to get involved.

Who can apply

Metro and its community partners invite anyone interested in the garbage and recycling system to apply. If you are passionate about equity, health and the environment, please consider learning more. Youth aged 16 to 23 are especially encouraged to apply.

For questions about the Cornelius project, contact: [email protected]

For questions about the Metro South project, contact: [email protected]