Portland Dump Fees & Landfill Guide for Junk Removal Operators
Oregon Metro MSW at $162.14/ton with $47 minimum. Up to 4 mattresses FREE per day. Electronics FREE via E-Cycles. 5 facilities mapped.
Last updated: Mar 2026
$35 minimum (yard debris) – $261/ton (asbestos at Hillsboro C&D)
Typical dump fee range
Fee basis
Per ton (weighed at scale) with flat minimums by material type
Common materials
Biggest cost trap
Hillsboro C&D Landfill adds a 20% Fuel/Environmental/Administrative Fee ON TOP of all posted rates — $135.31/ton C&D becomes approximately $162/ton after the surcharge. Also, Forest Grove Transfer Station does NOT accept yard debris or checks.
Typical Costs in Portland
Baseline pricing before you dig into individual facilities.
MSW (Household Junk)
$47 minimum (Metro stations) – $162.14/ton
$47 at Metro Central and Metro South (covers up to ~240 lbs)
Basis: Per ton (weighed at scale); flat minimums by material type
infoOregon 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.
1Metro 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
2Commercial accounts with RFID get 2–3 AM access at Metro stations plus the $7.85 automated transaction fee versus $28 for staffed public access
3Recycling rebate: $3 for under 100 lbs separated, $6 for 100+ lbs — small but adds up over hundreds of trips
C&D (Construction & Demolition)
$135.31/ton + 20% surcharge (~$162/ton effective) at Hillsboro C&D Landfill
Varies by material — call (503) 640-9427
Basis: Per ton plus 20% Fuel/Environmental/Administrative Fee
infoHillsboro 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.
Free Disposal Items (Metro Stations)
FREE — mattresses (4/day), non-coolant appliances, electronics, scrap metal recycling
Free
Basis: Per item (no charge)
infoOregon 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.
Yard Waste & Clean Wood
$35 minimum (yard debris) – $101.46/ton
$35 (yard debris) · $39 (clean wood) · $40 (food + yard organics)
Basis: Per ton with flat minimums
infoClean 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.
Facilities in Portland
Recommended facilities first, then additional options.
Top Recommended (3)
Metro Central Transfer Station
Primary Portland disposal with early commercial access (2 AM) and integrated HHW — handles most inner-city tonnageRate
MSW: $162.14/ton ($47 min). Yard debris: ~$101.46/ton ($35 min). Mattress: FREE (4/day, $2.30 credit in mixed). Electronics: FREE. Non-coolant appliances: FREE. Tires: $28 first, $2/$4 additional (15/day). Transaction fee: $7.85 automated · $28 staffed.
$35–$47 depending on material
Hours
Public: 8 AM–5 PM daily | Commercial: 2 AM–5 PM Mon–Fri · 3 AM–5 PM Sat · 8 AM–5 PM Sun | HHW: 9 AM–4 PM Mon–Sat (closed Sun)
Area
Northwest Portland (6161 NW 61st Ave., Portland, OR 97210)
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.
Metro South Transfer Station
Longest hours in the metro (7 AM–7 PM daily) with identical pricing — serves south Portland, Clackamas, Oregon CityRate
MSW: $162.14/ton ($47 min). All other rates identical to Metro Central.
$35–$47
Hours
Public: 7 AM–7 PM daily | Commercial: 3 AM–7 PM Mon–Fri · 7 AM–7 PM Sat–Sun | HHW: 9 AM–4 PM daily
Area
Oregon City (2001 Washington St., Oregon City, OR 97045)
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.
Calbag Metals Co. (Scrap Metal)
Portland's primary scrap metal buyer — sell metals instead of paying $162/ton to dispose of themRate
Approximate Portland ranges: Copper #1 bare bright $2.94–$3.35/lb. Copper #2 $1.20–$2.00/lb. Red brass $1.80–$2.11/lb. Aluminum $0.39–$0.73/lb. Stainless 304 $0.42/lb. Steel/iron $40–$70/gross ton. Call for current rates.
Call for details
Hours
Mon–Fri 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM · Closed weekends
Area
Northwest Portland (2495 NW Nicolai, Portland, OR 97210)
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.
Rules & Restrictions
Know before you go — avoid rejected loads and fines.
All Portland waste must go to Metro-authorized facilities under Oregon regional law. Operators cannot use unauthorized disposal sites.
All C&D loads at Metro stations are screened for asbestos. Hillsboro Landfill accepts asbestos at $261/ton ($313.20 minimum) plus 20% surcharge. Non-authorized asbestos disposal carries severe penalties.
Forest Grove Transfer Station does NOT accept yard debris or checks. Hillsboro does NOT accept MSW or food waste. Know what each facility accepts before dispatching.
Commercial RFID accounts through Metro accounting at (503) 797-1646 (credit card on file, 1 business day setup). RFID enables 2–3 AM early access and $7.85 automated transaction fee versus $28 staffed.
Oregon E-Cycles program provides free electronics recycling at all Metro stations and Forest Grove (up to 7 items). No need to pay e-waste disposal fees.
Oregon PaintCare program offers free paint recycling at participating locations — do not dispose of paint as MSW. Visit paintcare.org for drop-off locations.
Up to 4 mattresses FREE per day at Metro stations — this is extraordinarily generous compared to other metros charging $18–$38 each. A mattress-heavy estate cleanout that costs $152+ in surcharges elsewhere costs $0 in Portland.
Metro tip fee increased 5.5% for FY 2025-26 — expect annual increases. Budget for $170+/ton within 1–2 years.
BottleDrop program pays $0.10 per container — redeem bottles and cans before visiting the transfer station. Small revenue but adds up on residential cleanouts with significant recyclables.
Cost-Saving Tips
Margin protection playbook — sorting, timing, and routing.
Sorting Strategy
Separate yard debris from every load — at approximately $101.46/ton versus $162.14/ton for garbage, yard waste separation saves approximately $61/ton. On a 2-ton load with 30% green waste, that saves approximately $37 per load.
Sell scrap metal at Calbag Metals (2495 NW Nicolai, Mon–Fri 7 AM–3:30 PM) instead of disposing as garbage. Copper at $2.94–$3.35/lb and brass at $1.80–$2.11/lb make metal separation highly profitable at Portland disposal rates.
Route usable items to Habitat for Humanity Portland ReStore (4 locations — Portland, Gresham, Beaverton, Tigard; (971) 229-8888). FREE pickup available. ReStore diverted 8,600 tons from landfills in 2025. Mattresses go to Metro stations for FREE (4/day) — not to ReStore.
Timing Strategy
Commercial RFID accounts get 2 AM access at Metro Central and 3 AM at Metro South — dump before sunrise and start your route with a clear truck. The $7.85 automated transaction fee versus $28 staffed saves $20 per trip.
Metro South has the longest hours in the metro — 7 AM to 7 PM daily for public. Less congested than Metro Central. Best: Tuesday through Thursday mornings.
Weekend afternoons (especially spring) are the busiest times at all facilities. Saturday mornings consistently busy at Metro Central. Plan weekend dump runs for early morning or use Metro South's longer evening hours.
Routing Strategy
Inner Portland and northwest jobs: Metro Central at 6161 NW 61st Ave with 2 AM commercial access. Combine with Calbag Metals scrap drops (2495 NW Nicolai — same neighborhood).
South Portland, Clackamas, Oregon City: Metro South at 2001 Washington St with 7 AM–7 PM hours. Daily HHW access (Metro Central HHW closed Sundays).
West metro (Hillsboro, Beaverton, Forest Grove): Hillsboro Landfill for C&D at ~$162/ton effective, Forest Grove TS for MSW at $80+ per vehicle. For most loads, driving to Metro Central or Metro South is cheaper despite the distance.
Best Practice
Portland's free mattress, electronics, and non-coolant appliance disposal at Metro stations is the most generous free-item policy in any major metro. Operators who route these items separately save $20–$64 per item compared to other markets. ScaleYourJunk logs dump fees per job automatically so you can track your actual disposal cost per job — including the value of free items that would cost hundreds elsewhere — and price your Portland jobs accordingly.
Free Mattresses + Free E-Waste + Free Appliances = Portland Advantage
ScaleYourJunk tracks disposal costs per job so you can see exactly how Portland's free-item policies reduce your effective per-load cost compared to other metros.
Dump Fees in Portland: FAQ
Related Resources
Oregon Junk Removal Market Guide
Demographics, competitor landscape, pricing benchmarks, and regulations for operating in Oregon.
DataPortland Metro Junk Removal Market
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DataSeattle Dump Fees
Facility data and disposal options for operators also servicing the Seattle market, 175 miles north on I-5.
GuideDump Run Efficiency Guide
Route optimization for early-morning commercial access and multi-stop dump runs.
FeatureLoad-Based Pricing Engine
Build accurate disposal costs into every quote with volume-based pricing tiers.
Free Mattresses, Free E-Waste, 2 AM Access — Portland Rewards Organized Operators
ScaleYourJunk logs disposal costs per job so you can price Portland jobs accurately — accounting for free items that save hundreds per week.
Dump fee tracking included in all plans — Starter $149/mo