There are many common household products that are hazardous to the health of people, pets, and the environment such as cleaners, pesticides, oil and paint. These materials should never be thrown in the trash or poured down the drain, instead they require special disposal.
Metro offers disposal services year-round at our household hazardous waste facilities and seasonal collection events. Disposal is free only for household waste. There is a daily limit of 35 gallons of waste, measured by container size.
Businesses and other organizations that generate hazardous waste can dispose of waste for a fee, after applying to the Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) program and making an appointment for disposal.
Tips for safely loading household hazardous waste
Place items upright in sturdy, leak-proof boxes in a single layer.
Ensure all lids are secured, and place broken or leaking containers in zip-top bags.
Keep products in their original containers. If their containers aren’t labeled, and you know the contents, label it.
Protect any potentially breakable materials with padding.
Where to take household hazardous waste
Metro operates two permanent, year-round, full-service household hazardous waste facilities that accept unwanted hazardous products.
Metro Central household hazardous waste
6161 NW 61st Ave, Portland, OR 97210
Open Mon – Sat from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Metro South household hazardous waste
2001 Washington St, Oregon City, OR 97045
Open every day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Metro operates neighborhood collection events every spring and fall where people can drop off hazardous waste outside of the facilities. Metro staff also attend select community events to collect sharps, compact fluorescent light bulbs, batteries and medicine which can be found on Metro’s Facebook and Instagram social media pages.
What are hazardous products
Hazardous products are materials that are:
- flammable or combustible - like oils and gasoline
- explosive or reactive - like fireworks, ammunition or batteries
- corrosive or caustic, which means they can burn skin or eyes - such as cleaners and pool chemicals
- toxic or poisonous, which means they can cause injury or death if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed - such as pesticides and fertilizers
- damaging to the environment, which means they can contaminate rivers, lakes and drinking water, and cause air pollution - like materials found in fluorescent light bulbs and refrigerant gases
If you’re unsure if the household hazardous waste program can accept something, ask the experts at Metro’s Recycling Information Center at 503-243-3000, available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Preventing hazardous waste
Read before you buy
Read product labels carefully before you buy and look for the signal words that say danger, warning and caution. Danger means the product is extremely hazardous because it is poisonous, extremely flammable or corrosive. Warning or caution indicates a product that is somewhat less hazardous but still poses dangers.
Buy only what you need
If you must purchase hazardous products, buy only what you can use completely to avoid needing to store the product. If you do have leftovers, try to find someone who can use them up.