How do I sign up for new garbage service?
Use our online form or call us at the office at 503-531-6330. If you
call and get the answering machine, please leave a message,
we check the machine frequently and will get back to you
right away.
How do I change or stop my garbage service?
Use our online form or call us at the office at 503-531-6330. If you
call and get the answering machine, please leave a message, we check the
machine frequently and will get back to you right away.
Payment Options
Can I set up auto-pay with my bank to pay your bill?
Yes. You can download our form and send it to us with your bank account information, and we will set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) that will pay your bi-monthly bill automatically.
Setting up the auto-pay option can take up to one full billing cycle (two months) to complete. If you have an amount due at the time you sign up, please pay through your normal method or your account may show a past-due amount.
Can I pay you with my credit card?
Yes, we are now able to accept credit card payments through PayPal.
For regular payments, we suggest that you use auto-pay (see previous answer) or use your bank's online payment system.
Schedules
What is your holiday schedule?
Walker Garbage Service collects your garbage on every holiday
except Christmas Day and New Years Day. For people whose
normal collection day would fall on either of these days, your collection will be delayed by one day.
For example, Thursday regulars will be picked up on Friday, and Friday regulars will be picked up on
Saturday.
I can never remember my yard recycling day. Can you help?
We have a schedule for our Washington County customers on our website. You can download the
PDF file and print and post it to help you remember.
See our yard debris page. Customers in Beaverton get every-week yard debris pickup. City of Portland customers are on a scedule that is the same as the "red" schedule for Washington County.
When do I need to have my containers in place for collection?
Bins, rollcarts and other containers need to be in place by 5 am on your scheduled collection day. While we don't collect everyone at that time, our schedules occasionally change, so to ensure that your garbage is collected, have it out by 5 am.
I’m going on a long trip. Can I stop my service and not be billed?
Washington County residents: If you are going to be gone for four consecutive weeks or longer, we can stop the service and give you credit. We need to know when you would like to have your last route day pick up. We also need to know the route day when you want pickup to resume. Please submit all vacation requests at least 24 hours before your next route day. Use our email form to let us know, or call the office, 503-531-6330.
Beaverton, Multnomah County, Portland residents: If you are going to be gone for two consecutive weeks or longer, we can stop the service and give you credit. We need to know when you would like to have your last route day pick up. We also need to know the route day when you want pickup to resume. Please submit all vacation requests at least 24 hours before your next route day. Use our email form to let us know, or call the office, 503-531-6330.
Recycling
I just moved and have a lot of cardboard boxes to recycle.
Should I leave them at the curb?
No, give us a call or email us and
we will make a special trip. Normally there is no charge for this, but
we may
have to charge depending on
the situation.
What happens to my recycling if I don’t sort it correctly?
In some cases we will leave it at your curb with a note
explaining the problem. In some cases we will take it
anyway. We usually fix the problem
and recycle
it but sometimes it has to become trash – especially if the material is
contaminated with food or other substances.
My recycling was left in the bin or rollcart? Why?
Common problems include glass in the commingled rollcart; non-recyclable
material included; material contaminated with food waste or other contaminant.
See
our recycling page for detailed information
about recycling.
What happens to my recycling materials?
All the material we collect for recycling is sent to Far
West Fiber (farwestfibers.com/hillsboro.htm)
It is placed onto huge conveyor belts and sorted through
a combination of mechanical and human processing.
Can you mail me a yard debris recycling calendar?
We have a calendar on this website which
you can print. Washington County distributes a schedule
in their newsletter, “Wastelines,” which is sent to every
postal customer in our area once a year and you can also find information on the county's website recyclewise.org. Beaverton customers get weekly service. See the Yard Debris page for Portland information.
I live in an apartment and there’s no recycling facility/
I manage an apartment,
can I get help setting up a recycling facility for my tenants?
Yes, we will come and help you set up your recycling area. Just call
us or email us.
I can never remember my yard recycling day. Can you help?
We have a schedule for our Washington County customers on our website. You can download the
PDF file and print and post it to help you remember.
See our yard debris page. Customers in Beaverton get every-week yard debris pickup. City of Portland customers are on a scedule that is the same as the "red" schedule for Washington County.
What items can I put in my yard debris bin?
See our yard debris page for complete information about
what can be included.
Can I recycle my Christmas tree along with my yard debris?
Please cut up your tree so it all fits inside your yard debris cart with the top closed. Any tree parts left beside the bin will be charged as extra material.
What happens to my yard debris?
Several companies recycle yard debris into compost for
gardens and agriculture. This is why we ask you to be
careful not to contaminate your yard debris
with chemically polluted material.
I want a yard debris cart or a recycling cart. How do I get one and what does it cost?
Your first yard debris rollcart
and your first recycling cart is free. Just call or use our Change of Service form to request a cart. If you need an extra yard debris or recycling rollcart there is a fee depending on your jurisdiction. Call the office at 503-531-6330 for more information. An additional cart should not be requested for a temporary situation, we ask that you plan to keep any additional carts for at least a year.
Wind and weather
High Wind Warning!
Windy days in the Tualatin Valley often result in missing trash bins
and lids, and trash and recyclables blown about the area. We want to
assure you that we make every effort to secure your bins once we have
emptied them. We also do all we can to prevent items from blowing away
and we even pick up material (as much as is practical) when a bin has
blown over or been tipped over by dogs or other animals.
Some bins and lids are more prone to flight than others -- the bins
we distribute have attached lids so they can't blow away, and they're
heavier than most consumer bins. If you have recurring problems with
missing bins or lids, you might want to consider using one of our supplied
bins. (See rates)
We ask you to try to secure paper recycling by placing heavier items
on top of it or using a brick or other heavy object to weigh the paper
down. You can also help by placing your bins near a mailbox pillar or other
fixed object to stabilize them.
One of the best ways to prevent problems is to get the emptied bins
back to their normal location as soon as possible on windy days. If
you're not going to be home, perhaps a neighbor could help. Thanks for your help in solving this ongoing problem. For more information,
feel free to call the office at 503-531-6330 or email us
When will my garbage be collected if it snows?
Our trucks can get through most snowfalls, but if the snow is really
deep, garbage will be collected on the next day possible.
From that point, each route will be collected on the following day including
Saturday and/or
Sunday until all routes have been caught up.
The lid from my can is missing. Why didn't you secure it when you
collected trash?
We make every effort to secure your container and lid. On windy days
your containers may be blown over despite everything we do. We cannot
be responsible for losses due to weather. Our rollcart bins have attached
tops. You may wish to consider getting this service if you continue to
have problems.
Be sure to search for your missing lid or bin “downwind” where
it might have blown. It’s also a good idea to put your name, address,
and phone number on the bin and lid so it can be returned to you.
The best way to avoid lost bins and lids is to retrieve them shortly
after they are emptied. If it’s a particularly windy day and you’re
not going to be home, you might want to ask a neighbor to put your bins
away.
My garbage wasn't collected on a very cold day, what happened?
Occasionally garbage becomes frozen inside the bin. We cannot remove
it without risk of cracking your container. Just set out
a double load the following week and you won't be charged.
It's raining, can I still put out my recycling?
Your recycling bin should keep your recycling dry, and the bins you use for glass recycling have drain holes. Just be sure everything
is secured against wind, which often accompanies rain!
Bins, lids, rollcarts etc.
The lid from my can is missing. Why didn't you secure
it when you collected trash?
We make every effort to secure your container and lid.
On windy days your containers may be blown over despite
everything we do. We cannot
be responsible for losses
due to weather. Our rollcart bins have attached tops. You may wish to
consider
one of these if you continue to have problems.
Be sure to search for your missing lid or bin “downwind” where it
might have blown. It’s also a good idea to put your name, address, and
phone number on the bin and lid so it can be returned to you.
My red/yellow bin or recycling rollcart is missing. Can I get another one?
Most of the time, your rollcarts can be found. Each one is numbered, and if you call the office, we can provide you with the number of your cart and you can check with your neighbors to find your missing cart. Walker Garbage Service has to purchase these carts, so we want to help you locate a missing one.
If you have made your best effort to find your missing cart and are unable to locate it, we can provide replacement bins and Recycling Rollcarts for free. Just use our form (check the box that says "I need a recycling bin") and
we'll deliver a new bin on your next regular pickup day.
If I move, can I take my bin or my recycling rollcart with me?
No. The bin and the carts belong to the lot you are on. You should leave
your bins and rollcarts for the next resident. Bins should be available
wherever you move.
Contact your new hauler
if they’re not.
I want a yard debris cart. How do I get one and what does it cost?
Your first yard debris rollcart
and your first recycling cart is free. Just call or use our Change of Service form to request a cart. If you need an extra yard debris cart there is a fee depending on your jurisdiction. Call the office at 503-531-6330 for more information. An additional cart should not be requested for a temporary situation, we ask that you plan to keep any additional carts for at least a year.
Large loads and unusual items
We have a person in our household who must receive injections. How
should we dispose of our “sharps?”
Call Metro or visit their web page about “sharps” disposal: www.metro-region.org/article.cfm?articleid=582
What should I do with my hazardous waste?
See our section on hazardous waste disposal.
I'm disposing of some heavy items. Do you have a weight limit?
Yes, a 35-gallon roll cart can not exceed 60 lbs. The 60-gallon roll cart can not exceed 120 lbs and the 90-gallon roll cart can not exceed 180 lbs.
How can I dispose of leftover paint?
Metro accepts paint for recycling at the Hazardous Waste Facility,
located adjacent to the Metro Central Station. More information
is available at:
www.metro-region.org/article.cfm?articleID=570
Metro Central Hazardous Waste Facility
(503) 234-3000
6161 NW 61st Avenue, Portland
Metro sells the re-mixed recycled paint through it's Metro Paint program:
www.metro-region.org/article.cfm?articleid=521
I need a drop box. Do you provide them?
Drop boxes are available through our partner, Washington County Drop
Box.
Washington County Drop Box
www.washingtoncountydropbox.com
For Multnomah County customers: www.multnomahcountydropbox.com
(503) 531-8843
P.O. Box 5069
Aloha, OR 97007
I have some large items to dispose of (e.g. refrigerator, couch)
We may be able to help you with this. Please call the office at
503-531-6330 for information on disposing of large items.
I have some broken glass to throw away, and I don’t want your
haulers to get hurt. How should I wrap it?
If you are concerned, wrap it in a paper bag or some newspaper. Our
haulers make every effort not to touch any of your trash, but we do
appreciate your effort.
Do I need to do anything special with messy items?
Please contain ashes, cat litter, sawdust, shredded paper, packing
peanuts (or any other type of trash that's likely to blow
around) in a paper or plastic bag. This will help
us keep the neighborhood clean.
General Information
I just moved into your area and want to sign up for new service.
What do I do?
You can use our online form to sign up for service. If we have any
questions about your service, we'll phone you to get the
details.
Who regulates garbage haulers in our area?
The regional government Metro sets some of the rules for solid waste disposal
in the tri-county area (Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas
Counties are part
of Metro.) metro-region.org. Individual cities (Beaverton and Portland) and Washington County have direct jurisdiction over garbage haulers within their service areas.
What happens to my garbage after you pick it up?
Your garbage is taken to the Metro Central Station in Portland.
From there it is compacted and loaded onto semi trucks
and shipped to Waste
Management Inc.’s
Columbia Ridge Recycling and Landfill in Arlington, Oregon. wmnorthwest.com/landfill/landfillcities/columbia.html
In 1990, Metro began a 20-year contract to dispose of waste from Metro
transfer stations at this landfill. This contract was subsequently extended
to the
year 2014. Columbia Ridge has a designated facility agreement with Metro
to accept
non-putrescible and special wastes, petroleum contaminated soil and
asbestos from inside the Metro region.
My garbage wasn’t picked up? Why not and what can I do?
Occasionally we miss a can, but the most common reason for
a missed pickup is that you did not get it to the
pickup location early enough.
It must
be curbside (or wherever we usually pick it up) by 5 am on your collection
day.
Another cause of missed pickup is a dog- or wind-caused mess, which
we cannot clean up.
In any case, if you call the office right away, we may be able to
pick it up that day or the next. A small fee may apply.
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