Recycle at Home

Batteries can spark and cause a fire when not handled properly. Residential customers can now safely dispose of batteries with weekly curbside collection service. 

Follow three easy steps for safe disposal 

1. Tape the ends of your battery.
2. Place taped batteries in a sealed plastic bag.
3. Place the plastic bag in your glass recycling bin.  

*Note: Please limit battery disposal to 1-quart bag per pick-up.  

Accepted battery types

• Alkaline batteries (AAA, AA, C, D); don’t need ends taped, can be bagged together 
• 6-volt or 9-volt batteries (ends taped) 
• Button batteries used in watches and cameras (ends taped) 
• Rechargeable batteries and battery packs used in laptops, cellphones, etc. (ends taped)

Safety tips

• Batteries should be placed in a cool, dry area away from potential heat sources, flammable materials, and metals. 
• Damaged batteries should be placed immediately in an absorbent, nonflammable material such as kitty litter or sand. If the materials start to smoke or combust, call 911. 
• Keep batteries away from children. Batteries can be toxic if swallowed or exposed.  
• Never remove embedded or built-in rechargeable batteries. Some rechargeable batteries are not designed or intended to be removed. Contact Metro’s Recycling Information Center at 503- 234-3000 or use Find a Recyclertool for disposal options.

Contact

Email Recycle@GreshamOregon.gov or call 503-618-2525.  

Money in the can

Oregon’s bottle and can refund value is now 10 cents per container. The state has expanded the types of refundable containers. 

Refundable containers include

• Coffee/Tea
• Kombucha
• Energy and sports drinks
• Hard cider
• Juice
• Full list of containers

Not included

• Wine or hard alcohol
• Milk – dairy or plant-based
• Infant formula
• Meal replacement drinks

Returns made easy 

Fill up a green BottleDrop bag with your Oregon deposit containers and earn as much as $5 to $10 a bag. 

Find a bottle drop center.

More information 

Learn more about the Oregon Bottle Bill.

Residential recycling in Gresham uses a two-sort system:

• Glass in one bin.
• Paper, plastic, metal in the other.  

Residential service options

• Garbage and recycling service for houses and smallplexes
• Servicio de basura y reciclaje para casas y pequeños complejos
• Услуги по  сбору мусорa и переработки  отxoдoв для домов и малых комплексов

Items collected

• Paper
  • Included: Egg cartons, cereal and shoe boxes, junk mail, phone books, magazine, newspapers, paper rolls, cartons and flattened cardboard. 
  • Not included: Coffee cups, take-out food containers, paper plates, pizza boxes, frozen food boxes, coated paper food boxes, paper towels, napkins and facial tissue. 
• Plastic
  • Included: Plastic bottles and jars (6 ounces or larger), milk or juice jugs, tubs (6 inches or larger) and plant pots (4 inches or larger).
  • Not included: Plastic film, cups, take-out containers, disposable plates or cutlery, bubble wrap and latex gloves. 
• Metal
  • Included: Clean steel, aluminum and tin cans with lids, clean aluminum foil, trays and plates and small scrap metal. Metal items (smaller than 30 inches and less than 30 pounds).
  • Not included: Chains, wire hangers, 
• Glass
  • Included: Glass food and beverage bottles and jars. 
  • Not included: Drinking glasses, flower vases, light bulbs, windows and broken mirrors. 

Note: Batteries are now collected with weekly service. Battery collection instructions.

 Collection day reminders 

• Set out containers and roll carts by 6:00 am on collection day.
• Place containers within 3 feet of the curb and leave a space of 3 feet between carts.
• Place carts 10 feet from cars, mailboxes, basketball hoops, trees and other stationary objects.
• Remove carts and containers from curb within 24 hours, preferably the evening of pick-up day.

Become a certified recycling expert

• Recycling 101:Protect natural resources by learning about recycling, composting and waste reduction with Recycling 101, an online, self-paced course created in partnership with the Association of Oregon Recyclers.
• Become Master Recycler:Take an eight-week course on the latest information on consumption, compost and recycling. Then, promise to volunteer 30 hours to share what you learned with neighbors, coworkers and community.

Reduce, reuse and prevent

Reduce, reuse and recycle is more than a slogan. At home, we encourage everyone to reduce, reuse and recycle, in this order of importance.

How to reuse and waste less

• Use reusable grocery bags, coffee mugs and lunch containers so you don’t throw away after one use.
• Reuse items like jars, bags, gift bags and tissue paper.
• Buy in bulk when possible. Bulk flour, nuts, cereal etc. can go home in one plastic bag instead of a bag and a box.

Food waste prevention

• Learn how simple actions like proper food storage and meal planning can help you reduce food waste and address climate change. Read more about the Eat Smart Waste Less program.

Buy used and donate more

• When you want to buy something, ask: "Do I really need it or can I make it at home?"  Consider borrowing or renting equipment. 

Repair items instead of buying new

• Repair what you can, donate usable items, and purchase used items. Bring items to a free Repair Cafe.