Portland warns of garbage pickup delays after snow, ice
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – After an Arctic blast blanketed the Portland metro area with snow and ice, Portlanders can expect delayed garbage service, the city announced.
On Friday, Jan. 19, the city said hazardous road conditions throughout the week made it unsafe for waste collection drivers to collect garbage, compost, and recycling
The city urges Portlanders to leave garbage, recycling, and compost carts at the curb in case of snow or ice, and says bins will be emptied when it is safe for sanitation services.
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Garbage companies are planning on collecting garbage on Saturday, Jan. 20, but will push pickup to next week if roads aren’t safe.
According to the city, garbage pickup is a top priority, while compost and recycling collection may not happen until the next collection day. Officials said if a resident’s compost or recycling was not picked up this week, waste collection drivers will take the previous week’s materials at no additional cost. The city notes that credits and refunds will not be offered due to inclement weather.
If residents have extra recycling or yard waste, they can set out twice as much as usual next week, officials said. Extra recycling can be set out in a cardboard box or a paper bag labeled “recycling,” the city said.
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Extra cardboard boxes should be flattened into smaller pieces to fit as much as possible into recycling bins with the lid fully shut. Remaining cardboard should be bundled together, secured with tape, and leaned against the recycling bin, officials said.
Extra glass can be set out in any rigid plastic container, or a five-gallon bucket with a few holes drilled in the bottom to let rain through. Extra yard waste can be set next to the green bin in a yard waste bag, bundle, or can up to 32 gallons, and 45 pounds max per bag, the city said.
Portlanders can also set out fallen branches under three feet long and four inches thick by placing them in the compost bin or yard waste bags.
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Garbage and recycling companies or tree care providers may also offer a cost estimate for larger branch and stump removal.
“You might look out your door and expect collection because you see sunshine and a clear, safe street,” said Dave Huber of Waste Management, one of Portland’s garbage service providers. “The challenge may be related to what happened the day before in another part of town. If conditions didn’t allow us to collect yesterday in one part of town, we may have every available driver on the street for recovery in that area.”
Officials note when Interstate 84 closes due to hazardous road conditions, the region is unable to take garbage to the Arlington, Ore. landfill, which backs up the waste collection system.
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