The Sustainability & Solid Waste program sets the rates and service standards for franchised garbage and recycling companies within unincorporated Clackamas County, and for the cities* of Happy Valley and Barlow. Our goal is to ensure that solid waste collection services are provided to residents and businesses safely, cost-effectively and efficiently, and in a way that supports the benefits of recovering materials from the system.
*If you live in a different city, please contact the city for your garbage and recycling rates.
Clackamas County’s garbage and recycling rate increase is effective Aug. 1, 2024. Learn more.
Garbage Cart Sizes
The size of your garbage cart and frequency of collection will impact your monthly bill.
20-gallon cart:
holds two 13-gal trash bags
35-gallon cart:
holds three 13-gal trash bags
60-gallon cart:
holds four 13-gal trash bags
90-gallon cart:
holds five 13-gal trash bags
Services and Rates
How rates are set
Every year Clackamas County reviews the production records of the seven parent companies that hold collection franchises. The review is used to establish the fees charged for the variety of services the county requires its franchised collectors to offer, and to ensure a fair return to the collectors. Adjustments are made each year, as necessary, to keep fees and real costs aligned.
Find your rate for collection services
- Identify your Fee Zone:
- Step.1: Enter your address into Clackamas Maps.
- Step 2: On the right hand side, click “Utilities & Districts”
- Step 3: Your Fee Zone will be listed underneath Sanitary Hauler (If a Fee Zone is not listed, that means you are in the jurisdiction of a city that sets its own rates; please check with your city for their fee schedule).
- Go to Clackamas County Fee Schedule for Waste and Recycling Collection Services sheet to your Fee Zone and services to determine your rate.
Fee increase effective Aug. 1, 2024 – Annually the county reviews fees to keep fees and real costs aligned, and to prevent large and unexpected fee increases. Due to increased disposal, labor, and equipment costs, a fee increase was approved by the Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 15, 2024. View the fee increase letter.
Miscellaneous Services
Bulky Waste – appliances, furniture, etc.
Minimum $5 fee, plus fee based on weight and special handling needs. If not easily accessible, hourly fee also applies. Contact your garbage and recycling company to arrange for pick up and fees.
A $30.00 coolant removal fee applies to items with refrigerant, (refrigerators, air conditioners, etc.) even if refrigerant is removed.
Clean Up Containers & Dumpsters
Available for clean outs and construction debris. Rates will include container fee (based on size), rental fee, delivery fee, mileage fee, and handling fee. Contact your garbage and recycling company to right-size the container to the project, arrange for drop off, and determine fees and restrictions specific to your project.
Waste from construction, demolition, and remodeling projects may require asbestos testing and paperwork for disposal.
Commercial Medical Sharps & Infectious Waste
If you are a business with medical sharps or infectious waste, your garbage and recycling company has subcontracted with a medical waste company to provide you with safe handling and disposal.
- Waste Management – Trilogy Medwaste
- All other garbage and recycling companies – Stericycle
Codes, Administrative Regulations, & Policies
Codes
Clackamas County code related to Solid Waste and Waste Management:
- Clackamas County Code
- Chapter 10.03 Solid Waste and Waste Management.
- Chapter 10.04 Recycling License
Administrative Regulations
Standards set by Clackamas County for garbage, recycling and yard debris service.
Inclement Weather Policy
From the Franchisee General Responsibilities section of the Administrative Regulations for Clackamas County Solid Waste and Recycling Collection Services for Franchisee and Customer.
Franchisees may postpone collection when weather conditions make driving hazardous. In situations where garbage, recycling, and yard debris collections are all postponed to subsequent week(s), franchisees will give priority to the collection of garbage.
- Garbage
The franchisee will pick up postponed collections of garbage as weather and road conditions permit. If collection must be postponed to a subsequent week(s), the cumulative amount of the current subscribed service level will be collected. - Recycling
Collection will be postponed to a subsequent week(s) as weather and road conditions permit. Resumption of recycling collection may be postponed past the following week if there have been several days of inclement weather and the franchisee is using available staff and trucks to catch up on garbage collections. - Yard Debris
Collection will be postponed to a subsequent week(s) as weather and road conditions permit. Resumption of yard debris collection may be postponed past the following week if there have been several days of inclement weather and the franchisee is using available staff and trucks to catch up on garbage and recycling collections. When collection resumes the cumulative amount of the current subscribed service level will be collected. - Notification of Postponed Collection
The franchisee will notify Clackamas County by 10 a.m. by telephone or e-mail on the days that collection will be postponed. The franchisee will update their voicemail and web site at least daily, notifying customers of postponed collections. - Billing
Postponed collections are not considered missed collections because the service is rendered in due course. Credits are not available for postponed collections due to inclement weather.