Portland Dump Fees & Landfill Guide for Junk Removal Operators

Oregon Metro operates two major transfer stations (Metro Central in Portland and Metro South in Oregon City) at $162.14/ton MSW for FY 2025-26. The $47 minimum covers loads up to approximately 240 lbs. Most Portland waste travels approximately 140 miles east via I-84 to Columbia Ridge Landfill in Arlington, OR (WM-operated, 12,000 acres, 320 million tons remaining, 120 years projected life). All Portland waste must go to Metro-authorized facilities under regional law. Forest Grove Transfer Station (WM) charges the same $162.14/ton for putrescible waste but has higher flat rates for small vehicles ($80⁠–⁠$305). Transaction fees add $7.85 (automated/commercial) or $28 (staffed/public) per visit.

• Metro South in Oregon City has longer hours (7 AM–7 PM daily) and identical pricing to Metro Central — route to whichever is closer to your job
• Commercial accounts with RFID get 2⁠–⁠3 AM access at Metro stations plus the $7.85 automated transaction fee versus $28 for staffed public access
• Recycling rebate: $3 for under 100 lbs separated, $6 for 100+ lbs — small but adds up over hundreds of trips

Hillsboro Landfill (WM) is the dedicated C&D facility for the Portland metro. Published rates (effective July 2025, inside Metro boundaries): C&D/processed dry waste at $135.31/ton, environmental cleanup/PC soil at $125.45/ton ($150.54 minimum), built-up roofing at $189.20/ton ($227.04 minimum), asbestos at $261/ton ($313.20 minimum). CRITICAL: all rates are subject to a 20% Fuel/Environmental/Administrative Fee on top — so $135.31/ton C&D becomes approximately $162/ton effective. Does NOT accept MSW or food waste. Unsecured load fee: $45 personal, $70 commercial. All loads screened for asbestos at Metro stations.

Oregon Metro stations offer unusually generous free disposal for several high-cost items: mattresses up to 4 per customer per day (FREE — $2.30 credit per unit in mixed loads), metal appliances without coolant (stoves, washers, dryers) FREE, electronics FREE via Oregon E-Cycles program (TVs, computers, monitors — up to 7 items), scrap metal recycling FREE. Tires: $28 for the first tire, $2 each additional without rim, $4 with rim (limit 15/day). Appliances with refrigerant: accepted for a fee (limit 5/day). These free items represent significant savings compared to other metros where mattresses cost $18⁠–⁠$38 each and appliances cost $20⁠–⁠$64 each.

Clean yard debris at approximately $101.46/ton is 37% cheaper than the $162.14/ton garbage rate. Clean wood minimum is $39. Residential organics (food + yard) at approximately $101.46/ton with a $40 minimum. Separating yard debris from garbage on every estate cleanout and property cleanup saves significant money — on a 2-ton load with 30% green waste, separation saves approximately $36. Forest Grove Transfer Station does NOT accept yard debris.

Operated by Recology Portland under Metro contract. Commercial RFID accounts get 2 AM weekday access — dump before sunrise and start your route with a clear truck. Automated scales charge $7.85/transaction versus $28 for staffed public access — significant savings over hundreds of trips. All loads screened for asbestos (all C&D). Up to 4 mattresses FREE per day — this alone saves $72⁠–⁠$152 per day compared to metros charging $18⁠–⁠$38 each. Oregon PaintCare program offers free paint recycling. Recycling rebate: $3 for under 100 lbs separated, $6 for 100+ lbs. Set up a temporary commercial account by credit card on file with Metro accounting at (503) 797-1646 — allow 1 business day.

Materials accepted: MSW at $162.14/ton ($47 min), Yard debris at ~$101.46/ton ($35 min), Clean wood ($39 min), Organics at ~$101.46/ton ($40 min), Mattresses: FREE (4/day), Electronics: FREE (E-Cycles), Non-coolant appliances: FREE, Tires: $28 first, $2⁠–⁠$4 each additional

Documentation needed: Commercial account: Metro accounting (503) 797-1646, credit card on file, 1 biz day; RFID for 2 AM access and $7.85 automated transaction fee; Accepts cash, Visa, MC, Discover, AmEx, debit, Apple Pay, Google Pay, checks

Surcharges: Transaction fee: $7.85 automated / $28 staffed; Uncovered load: $25/ton ($5 for minimum loads); No auto bodies; Boats must be <12 ft × 8 ft with fuel/appliances removed

Longest operating hours in the metro — 7 AM to 7 PM daily for public access, with commercial access from 3 AM weekdays. Same pricing as Metro Central. Commercial organics NOT accepted here (use Metro Central for food waste). HHW is open daily (Metro Central HHW closed Sundays). Less congested than Metro Central — best Tuesday through Thursday mornings.

At $162.14/ton disposal, every pound of metal diverted from the Metro scale generates both scrap revenue and avoided disposal cost. Copper at $2.94⁠–⁠$3.35/lb makes metal separation highly profitable. Prices fluctuate daily — always call ahead. Weekday-only hours (closed weekends). Close to Metro Central station — combine scrap drops with MSW disposal runs.