As greater Portland’s garbage and recycling system authority, Metro sets the regional service standard which determines the minimum collection standards for residents and businesses.
Metro’s administrative rules were updated in 2021 to address inequities in multifamily housing by requiring increased collection volumes, and consistent collection bin colors and signage. This rule update also requires regularly occurring bulky waste collection service for multifamily customers, action 10.5 of the 2030 Regional Waste Plan.
Metro, cities and counties are focused on improving access to large household item collection through the bulky waste policy project. The project provides a starting point for the creation of new bulky waste collection services, with an emphasis on improving services for people who live in apartments and lower-income households.
Bulky waste policy project timeline and phases
The bulky waste policy project is meant to take a close look at bulky waste collection services currently available and the challenges and opportunities in making these services consistent and accessible no matter where one lives. The project is divided across five phases of work.
Phase one and two involved research on existing bulky waste services in the region and included engagements with property managers, collection companies, and people living in multifamily homes to identify service barriers and opportunities.
All audiences recognized issues with the current system and saw value in a regularly occurring, consistent approach. All audiences also identified cost as the key issue in considering future services, as well as space constraints on multifamily properties for the service.
In phase three, Metro and partners completed a bulky waste collection pilot study. The study gathered robust and reliable data on what kind of waste is generated at apartment communities, how often the service was needed, and an estimated cost to deliver the service. The data will help support local governments to plan and create new collection services.
In phases four and five, Metro, cities and counties will work together to better define what is regularly occurring bulky waste collection and develop policies and programs that will lead to more equitable bulky waste collection services for all community members.