Tenant FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions

Many of the materials you bag as garbage could be recycled—if you knew where to take it on your property. Let us help! Washington County is committed to educating residents and property managers about recycling opportunities.

Q.  What materials can be recycled at my apartment/multifamily property?
A.  Washington County’s recycling program includes the collection of paper, cardboard, metal, rigid plastic tubs, buckets, and bottles. These materials can all be mixed together in the  same container.
Glass needs to be placed in a container separate from the other recyclables.

Q. What materials are not accepted in the mixed recycling?
A. The most common mixed recycling contaminates are:
• Plastic bags (grocery/garbage/sandwich) —take these back to the store or to a
recycling depot.
• Food-soiled cardboard, like pizza boxes — throw this in the garbage.
• Plastic to-go/take-out containers and cups
• Styrofoam – mailing peanuts may be accepted at mail services storefronts

Q.  How do I collect these materials inside my home?
A.  It’s as easy as 1-2-3!
1. Use a durable container/bag to collect recyclable materials in your home.
2. Locate the recycling container or cart on your property and drop in your recyclables.
3. Feel good about your efforts to conserve energy, natural resources and keep your community clean.

Q. We just bought new furniture; what should I do with my old stuff?
A.  You have many options for unwanted furniture in usable condition:
• Sell or give it away through online networks such as Freecycle.org or Craigslist.org
• Donate furniture to a charitable non-profit organization
• Post an advertise on your community bulletin board or in the newspaper

Furniture that is no unusable and longer wanted – ask your property manager whether it  can be  set out for collection with the garbage or take it to a landfill and pay for its  disposal.  

Q. We just moved in this week and have many cardboard boxes. How should we recycle them?  

A.  Ask your property manager or neighbors if there is a cardboard recycling container or a   mixed recycling container on-site.  If there is none, find a local recycling depot at Metro’s  Find a Recycler webpage http://www.metro-region.org/index.cfm/go/by.web/id/1383.  Ask  your property manager to offer residents the opportunity to recycle – if they are unsure  how, they can contact us for assistance 503-846-8609.