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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 & jars on the side

      For a detailed list of what goes in the recycling bin, check the curbside recycling guide.

      Find a recycler 

      Find out where to take batteries, styrofoam and other household items.

      Find a recycler 


      • No frozen food boxes
      • To-Go containers
      • No paper coffee cups and lids
      • Plastic bags
      • Plastic lids

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      • Frozen food boxes are made of cardboard, but are coated with plastic. The plastic coating makes frozen food boxes unrecyclable. 

      • Take-out, deli or other food containers, including clamshell containers are garbage. 

      • Paper coffee cups are coated with plastic making them unrecyclable. Plastic coffee cup lids and straws are not recyclable. 

      • They are recyclable, but not at the curb. Plastic bags are a serious problem for recycling facilities. They get caught in machinery.

      • Plastic lids and caps are too small or too flat to be sorted out of recycling. These items are garbage.

    • How to Recycle

      Recycling and yard debris collection is included in the cost of your garbage service.

      Residential recycling in Gresham uses a two-sort system: glass in one bin; paper, plastic, metal in the other.  

       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.
      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 (7.25.185) 

      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 $3.56 per bundle/bag.

      Yard debris credit

      Request a yard debris exemption

      Do you compost all your yard debris or use a landscaping service that takes yours?

      You can apply for a $2.85 monthly yard debris exemption. Customers can apply for the credit within 30 days of starting service or during open enrollment (April - June).

      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.
      • Save and reuse 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.
       Waste less food and save more
      • Go to Eat Smart Waste Less and learn how to store fruits and vegetables to keep fresh longer.  
      • Sign-up for the challenge and reduce food waste at home.
      • Eating out? Bring food containers to take food home instead of a disposable container.
      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 Café held three times a year. 

        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