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Recycling - Organics

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1. Can I compost food waste?

Beaverton does not offer curbside collection of food waste for residential or multifamily customers at this time. The Beaverton Composts! program is only offered to businesses that have a significant amount of food scraps and food-soiled paper in their garbage. These commercial accounts will help build infrastructure and efficiency for the program to expand in the future.

However, you still have the following options available for composting your plants, fruit and vegetable scraps, egg shells, coffee grounds, filters and tea bags at home:

1. If you live an apartment, composting in a worm bin is the way to go. They're easy, efficient and can fit under your kitchen sink. More information can be found in the brochure Composting with a Worm Bin.
2. Backyard composting is an easy and effective way to turn your vegetable scraps and yard debris into rich compost that will add nutrients to your soil. If you are a renter, please check with property owner before starting a composting system in your yard. Metro provides a lot of information on composting options in their Guide to Effective Composting. Residents of the Metro area can purchase home composting bins at the MetroPaint retail facility on Swan Island in Portland for $39 per bin (an $80 retail value).
3. You can self-haul your source-separated food scraps (includes fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, shellfish, bones, rice, bean, pasta, breads, bakery items, cheese, eggs, eggshells, dairy and coffee grounds), food-soiled paper (includes coffee filters, napkins, parchment paper, waxed cardboard and pizza boxes), and plant and/or floral trimmings to Metro Central Transfer Station for a fee. Covered residential loads are charged $54.83 per ton plus a $12 transaction fee. Minimum charge is $21 for up to 340 pounds. Degradable "plastics" like flatware, cups and food containers are not accepted because they do not break down quickly enough.

2. Can I compost food scraps at my event in Beaverton?

Currently, compost collection service is not available for events in Beaverton. The Beaverton Composts! program is only offered to businesses that have a significant amount of food scraps and food-soiled paper in their garbage. These commercial accounts will help build infrastructure and collection efficiencies so the program can expand to include events in the future.

If you really want to collect food scraps at events, you can self-haul your source-separated food scraps (includes fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, shellfish, bones, rice, bean, pasta, breads, bakery items, cheese, eggs, eggshells, dairy and coffee grounds), food-soiled paper (includes coffee filters, napkins, parchment paper, waxed cardboard and pizza boxes), and plant and/or floral trimmings to Metro Central Transfer Station for a fee. Commercial covered loads are charged $52.30 per ton plus a $12 transaction fee. Minimum charge is $21 for up to 340 pounds. Degradable "plastics" like flatware, cups and food containers are not accepted because they do not break down quickly enough. Metro Central Transfer Station is located at 6161 NW 61st Ave.

If you do choose to compost at your event, be sure to print and place the Beaverton Composts! poster above the composting collection containers. To avoid contamination of your collected compost, it is recommended that you have volunteers at each compost station to help educate attendees about how to separate their food scraps and food-soiled paper.

3. What are the general guidelines for yard debris recycling?

General guidelines

• Yard debris carts are picked up weekly in the City of Beaverton.


• Please place your yard debris cart at the curb (not in the street) on your scheduled day.


• Include only leaves, grass clippings, garden waste, weeds, branches and prunings (no greater than four inches in diameter and 36 inches in length).

Do not include oversized items, dirt, sod, stumps, metal, rocks, ashes, food waste, plastic, lumber, animal waste, or household garbage.
Plastic bags cannot be used for yard debris. If you have extra yard debris beyond what fits into your cart, you may purchase kraft paper yard debris bags from many local retailers. (Please note there is an additional $3 charge for each extra yard debris bag).
Do not overstuff the container - it may not empty properly. A typical 60-gallon roll cart may not weigh more than 120 pounds.