How Metro Transfer Stations Work
Metro is the regional government that manages solid waste for Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties. They operate two public transfer stations and regulate a network of private ones. If you live anywhere in the Portland metro area, these are your primary options for getting rid of stuff that won't fit in your curbside bin.
You drive in, get weighed, dump your load, get weighed again on the way out, and pay based on the difference. Minimum charges apply — even if you're dropping off a single couch cushion, you're paying for at least 300 pounds at Metro Central or 200 pounds at Metro South.
Rates as of 2026 sit around $125 to $145 per ton for mixed solid waste, though hazardous materials, appliances, and electronics have separate pricing. Cash, credit, and debit are all accepted. No checks.
Metro Central Transfer Station
Address: 6161 NW 61st Ave, Portland, OR 97210
Hours: Monday through Friday 8am–5pm, Saturday 7am–5pm. Closed Sundays and major holidays.
Metro Central is the bigger of the two public stations and handles the bulk of Portland's drop-off traffic. It sits in the Northwest Industrial district, which means easy truck access but brutal congestion on Saturday mornings. If you're going on a weekend, get there by 7:30am or plan to wait.
They accept pretty much everything short of radioactive waste: furniture, appliances, construction debris, yard waste, mattresses, tires, electronics, and household hazardous waste. The Metro hazardous waste depot is on-site, so you can drop off paint, batteries, and chemicals at the same time.
One thing people miss — Metro Central has a separate reuse area where you can leave items that are still usable. Furniture in decent shape, working tools, building materials. It keeps stuff out of the landfill and somebody else gets a deal.
Metro South Transfer Station
Address: 2001 Washington St, Oregon City, OR 97045
Hours: Monday through Friday 8am–5pm, Saturday 7am–5pm. Closed Sundays and major holidays.
Metro South is the go-to for anyone on the south side of the metro — Milwaukie, Oregon City, West Linn, Lake Oswego. Smaller than Metro Central but less crowded, which is a fair trade-off. The minimum load charge is slightly lower here (200 lbs vs 300 lbs at Central), so it's actually cheaper for small loads.
Same acceptance list as Metro Central: furniture, appliances, yard debris, construction waste, electronics, tires, mattresses. They also have a hazardous waste facility, though hours may differ from the main station. Call ahead at (503) 234-3000 if you're bringing anything unusual.
Private Transfer Stations in the Metro Area
Beyond the two Metro-operated stations, several private facilities serve the Portland area:
- Pride Recycling (Sherwood) — Good for construction debris and clean fill. Lower rates than Metro for C&D waste.
- Recology Suttle Road (Hillsboro) — Serves Washington County. Accepts general mixed waste and recyclables.
- WRI (Troutdale) — East side option. Accepts mixed waste, yard debris, and some construction materials.
- Grimm's Fuel (Tualatin) — Primarily yard debris and soil. Great rates on green waste.
Private stations set their own rates and hours, which can change without Metro's involvement. Always call before driving across town with a loaded truck.
What Transfer Stations Accept (and Reject)
Accepted at Most Stations
- Furniture (couches, tables, dressers, bed frames)
- Appliances (refrigerators, washers, dryers — Freon-containing units have a surcharge)
- Mattresses and box springs
- Construction debris (lumber, drywall, concrete, roofing)
- Yard waste (branches, leaves, grass clippings)
- Electronics (TVs, computers, monitors — free through Oregon E-Cycles)
- Tires (up to 9 per trip, fees apply)
Rejected or Restricted
- Asbestos (requires special handling and a separate facility)
- Medical waste and sharps
- Explosives or ammunition
- Radioactive materials
- Liquid waste in quantities over 5 gallons
If you're not sure what to do with something specific, check out our guide on items you can't throw away in regular trash.
Fee Breakdown
| Material | Metro Rate (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed solid waste | $125–$145/ton | Minimum load charge applies |
| Yard debris | $55–$70/ton | Must be clean (no plastic, no treated wood) |
| Appliances (with Freon) | $20–$35 each | Refrigerators, freezers, AC units |
| Mattresses | $15–$25 each | Some stations charge per piece |
| Tires (passenger) | $5–$8 each | Limit 9 per trip at Metro stations |
| Electronics | Free | Through Oregon E-Cycles program |
| Household hazardous waste | Free | Paint, batteries, chemicals — residential only |
These rates shift annually. Metro publishes updated fee schedules on their waste and recycling page.
Tips for a Smooth Drop-Off
Saturday mornings are chaos. If you can go on a Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon, you'll wait maybe five minutes instead of forty-five.
Secure your load. Oregon law requires all loads to be covered or tied down. Transfer stations can refuse entry if your stuff is blowing around. Ratchet straps, a tarp, and bungee cords are your friends.
Sort before you go. Yard waste, recyclables, and general trash go to different areas. If you pre-sort at home, you'll spend half the time on-site.
And if the thought of loading a truck, driving across town, waiting in line, and unloading in the rain sounds like a terrible Saturday — professional junk removal exists for exactly that reason. A crew shows up, loads everything, and handles disposal for you. For a single room of stuff, it often costs less than renting a truck and burning half your weekend.
