The Metro South Transfer Station at 2001 Washington St in Oregon City is one of two big public transfer stations owned by Metro, the Portland area's elected regional government. Recology Portland manages day-to-day operations. For people on the south side of the Portland area, it works as a one-stop site: garbage, yard debris and clean wood for a fee, plus free recycling, free electronics drop-off, and a household hazardous waste facility on the same property.
Last checked 2026-09-25 against Metro's Metro South and hazardous waste pages and Recology Portland's Metro South page. Hours, fees and rules change, so confirm before you go.
See Metro South and nearby drop-offs on the map
Metro South Transfer Station at a glance
| Owner | Metro (Portland-area regional government) |
| Day-to-day manager | Recology Portland |
| Address | 2001 Washington St, Oregon City, OR 97045 |
| Public hours | 8 a.m.–5 p.m. daily |
| Hazardous waste facility | 9 a.m.–4 p.m. daily |
| Closed | Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day |
| Questions | Metro's "Ask an expert" line, 503-234-3000 |
Metro South Transfer Station hours
Metro lists 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day for the general public. Commercial account holders can come earlier on weekdays, from 3 a.m., and keep the same 8 to 5 schedule on weekends. The station closes to the public on the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
The co-located hazardous waste facility keeps its own hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
A note on conflicting hours: Recology's page for Metro South lists 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Metro owns the site and publishes its fees and rules, so we've gone with Metro's 8-to-5 public hours. If you're planning an early or evening run, check Metro's page or call 503-234-3000 first.
How fees work
Metro charges a minimum for small loads and a per-ton rate for bigger ones. The minimum covers loads up to 240 pounds. Heavier loads pay the per-ton rate for their weight plus a $30 transaction fee for going through the staffed scale. Metro adjusts fees every year.
| Material | Minimum | Per ton |
|---|---|---|
| Garbage (includes broken furniture and engineered wood) | $51 | $176.70 |
| Clean wood (raw lumber, pallets, crates; no paint or treatment) | $42 | $97.13 |
| Clean yard debris | $37 | $56.00 |
| Residential organics (food scraps mixed with yard debris) | $43 | $111.53 |
Flat-rate items:
- Coolant appliances (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers): $30 each, up to five per person per day
- Tires from cars and motorcycles: $30 for the first, then $2 each without rims or $4 each with rims, up to 15 per day. No tractor, heavy-equipment or semi tires.
- Christmas trees up to 12 feet, undecorated: $30 for up to three (flocked trees count as garbage)
- Small boats and campers: charged as garbage, with conditions. Boats must be under 12 by 8 feet, fuel tanks and appliances removed, and campers built before 2004 need asbestos testing.
- Railroad ties 4 feet or shorter, in small numbers from non-commercial customers: charged as garbage
Payment
Metro accepts cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and checks. Credit cards carry a 2% processing fee. Personal checks need a matching valid driver's license, and the account holder has to be there.
Ways to pay less
Metro builds a few incentives into its pricing:
- Recycling rebate. Sort out recyclables and you get $3 back for up to 100 pounds, or $6 for more than 100 pounds.
- Cover your load. Uncovered loads pay an extra $25 per ton, or $3 on a minimum load, and risk a littering ticket.
- Combine trips. Because of the minimum charge, one bigger load costs less per pound than several small ones.
What's free at Metro South
Residential customers can drop off these at no charge:
- Recyclables you'd put in a curbside bin: paper, cardboard, newspapers, magazines, cans, glass bottles and jars, scrap copper and steel, and plastic bottles or tubs at least 2 by 2 inches
- Neatly rolled chain-link fencing (no slats or concrete attached)
- Metal appliances without coolant: dishwashers, microwaves, water heaters, stoves, ovens, washers and dryers
- Electronics through Oregon E-Cycles: computers, laptops, printers, TVs, monitors, tablets, keyboards and mice, up to seven items per person per day, working or broken
- Motor oil and antifreeze, up to 20 gallons a day in gallon-or-smaller unbreakable, screw-top containers
Household hazardous waste
The hazardous waste facility on site takes paint, stains, solvents, cleaners, pesticides, pool chemicals, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, sharps, compressed gas cylinders, cooking oil and more. It's free for households up to 35 gallons a day, measured by container size. Keep products in their original containers, pack them upright in a single layer, and expect to leave the boxes and containers behind. Businesses need an application, an appointment and a fee.
What Metro South won't take
- Vehicles of any kind, including auto bodies and motor homes
- Asbestos-containing material at the main station (the hazardous waste facility takes small, properly bagged amounts from households)
- Burned materials and wildfire ash
- Flat or built-up roofing
- Loads of liquid
- Petroleum-contaminated soil
- Radioactive metals
- Electric vehicle batteries
Metro warns that people who leave prohibited items can be billed for testing and cleanup, and that asbestos costs can top $3,000.
Tips for a smoother visit
- Sort before you go. Clean wood and yard debris cost much less than garbage, and recyclables earn a rebate.
- Check the entrance camera on Metro's website to see how busy the lines are.
- Bring a tarp. The uncovered-load charge adds up on heavy loads.
- Pack hazardous waste separately so you can drop it at the hazardous waste facility without mixing it into your garbage.
- Pay with debit or cash if you want to avoid the 2% credit card fee.
Nearby alternative
Metro Central Transfer Station, 6161 NW 61st Ave in Portland, is Metro's other public station, also managed by Recology. Its hazardous waste facility is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed Sundays. Check Metro's website for its main station hours.
Find more transfer stations near you
Search the nationwide dump map by ZIP code, browse our Clackamas County listings, or see the Metro South hazardous waste listing. For general advice, read our transfer station near me guide.
Metro South Transfer Station FAQ
What are the Metro South Transfer Station hours?
Metro lists public hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The station closes on the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The on-site hazardous waste facility is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
How much does Metro South Transfer Station charge for garbage?
Garbage costs a $51 minimum for loads up to 240 pounds. Heavier loads pay $176.70 per ton plus a $30 staffed-scale fee.
Does Metro South Transfer Station take electronics for free?
Yes. As an Oregon E-Cycles site, it takes computers, TVs, monitors, printers, tablets, keyboards and mice for free, up to seven items per person per day.
Can I drop off paint at Metro South Transfer Station?
Yes, at the hazardous waste facility on site. It's free for households up to 35 gallons per day.
Who runs the Metro South Transfer Station?
Metro, the Portland area's regional government, owns it, and Recology Portland manages daily operations.
Before you go
Hours, fees and rules change. We last checked this page on 2026-09-25 using Metro's Metro South Transfer Station page, its household hazardous waste page, and Recology Portland's Metro South page. Confirm details on the official Metro South Transfer Station page or call 503-234-3000 before you haul.