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Environmental Services

Recycle at Home

  • Gresham garbage haulers offer curbside recycling service to collect paper, plastic, glass and yard debris. 

  • What items can be recycled curbside?

    • Mixed paper and cardboard
    • Scrap metal and cans
    • Plastic bottles, tubs and buckets
    • Glass bottles and jars on the side
    • Batteries

    Recycle more with Recycle+

    • Starting May 1 you can recycle even more with a new, optional curbside collection service: Recycle+. This service is offered by haulers for an additional fee. 
    • Find out where to take old appliances, Styrofoam and other household items: Find a recycler.
    • Recycling roll carts
    • How to recycle batteries

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    • Separate recycling materials for weekly collection. 

      In the mixed recycling cart, include paper, plastics and metals. In the glass bin, include glass and bagged batteries. Reduce waste and recycle right. Full list of accepted items

    • Residential customers can now place spent batteries in the glass recycle bin. Steps for safe disposal

  • How to Recycle

    Residential recycling in Gresham uses a two-sort system:

    1. Glass in one bin.
    2. Paper, plastic, metal in the other.  

    Residential service options

    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.
    Waste Prevention Resources

    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.
    Battery Collection

    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 Recycler tool for disposal options.

    Contact

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

    Apartments/Multi-family Complexes

    Owners of rental properties are required to provide garbage and recycling when a property is occupied.

    Oregon Revised Code, Chapter 7 (7.25.400)

    Multi-family complex managers must provide recycling opportunities and education to residents. Education is required once per year. 

    We are here to help!

    City staff can help property managers and residents with technical assistance, delivering resources, and presentations.  

    Order free recycling resources

    Yard Debris

    All garbage service includes weekly collection of yard debris.  Additional yard debris, in paper bags, may be set out for an extra charge.

    Yard debris alert

    Haulers are seeing an increase in contaminated yard debris, which could result in carts not being serviced until contaminants are removed. 

     Do not put in yard debris:
    • Pet waste or cat litter
    • Anything plastic
    • Treated or painted wood 
    • Garbage
    • Glass
    • Rocks
    • Sod
    • Stumps
    • Large limbs
     What goes in yard debris:
    • Grass clippings
    • Weeds
    • Pumpkins
    • Dead plants from gardens
    • Tree or plant prunings less than 4 ft. (cut up)

    Yard debris tips

    • Setting out a bundle instead of a cart? Be sure bundles are no more than 3 feet long and 18 inches in diameter.
    • Extra bundles and large paper bags will be an additional $3.76 per bundle/bag.
    Bottles and Cans

    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

    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.