Universal Waste Recycling in Portland, Oregon
Safely recycle accepted Universal Waste through Green Century Recycling. Learn which Universal Waste materials are accepted, how to prepare them, applicable recycling fees, and available drop-off or pickup options.
What Is Universal Waste Recycling?
Universal Waste includes specific materials that require special handling and recycling under environmental regulations. Green Century Recycling provides responsible Universal Waste recycling services for Oregon residents, ensuring accepted materials are collected, handled, and processed safely. Proper Universal Waste recycling helps protect people, conserve natural resources, reduce environmental impact, and keep hazardous materials out of landfills while supporting a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Universal Waste Items​
The following materials are accepted through our Universal Waste Recycling program. These items require recycling fees due to specialized handling, transportation, and environmentally responsible processing.
Lamps (Lamps that are taped will not be accepted)
Fluorescent straight tubes
U-Bent & circular
LED
 fee please call for pricing Â
Lamps that are NOT sorted will be billed at
 fee please call for pricing Â
CCFL (dismantled from flat screen monitors/tv)
 fee please call for pricing Â
UV / SuntanÂ
 fee please call for pricing Â
Compact Fluorescent (CFL)
High Intensity Discharge (HID)
Halogen
Incandescent
Germicidal
Shielded Fluorescent
Low/high pressure sodium
Metal Halide
Arc tube
Ignitron
Ultraviolet
Spot/PAR
Quartz Halogen / Xenon (flash tube, fire alarms)
 fee please call for pricing Â
DLP (Rear projection TV & projectors)Â
 fee please call for pricing Â
NEONÂ
 fee please call for pricing Â
Batteries
Alkaline (non-rechargeable)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Ni-Cd / NiCad (rechargeable, all varieties)
Ni-MH / NiMH (rechargeable, all varieties)
Li-ion / LiON (rechargeable, dry cell, household varieties)
 fee please call for pricing Â
Cell phone Batteries
Lead Acid Batteries (Pb: cars, forklifts, motorcycles, UPS, AA)
Lithium Ion Batteries (laptops, cameras, power tools)Â
 fee please call for pricing Â
Vape, e-cigs Batteries
 fee please call for pricing Â
EV Batteries (scooter, bike, electric vehicle)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Batteries (including alkaline) that are NOT sorted, by type, will be billed at $8.25/lb
Toner cartridges (no bottles, ribbons, tanks)
Inkjet cartridges                                          Â
Freon (refrigerators/freezers/water coolers)
Capacitors                                       Â
Solar Panels w/ frames                            Â
Non PCB ballasts, Magnetic & Electronics                           Â
PCB ballasts (pre 1978 or NO LEGIBLE LABEL)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Universal Waste Container Deposit                                      Â
Fluorescent Straight Tubes Boxes                                        Â
Media (CD/DVD/Floppy/All tapes/Jewel cases)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
**Media includes DAT, DLT, LTO, VHS, and Cassette
Styrofoam
PAPER
SHRED PAPERÂ
varies, call for pricing
Â
Â
$0.75/ea
$0.50/ea   Â
$25/ea
$0.30/lb
$CALL
$0.25/lb
$4.50 lb
$10/ea
$6 – 4’ / $10 – 8’
$3.00/lb
 $10 per 45 gallons ( does not need to be bagged. We charge in increments of $10)Â
 NON SECURE $1.00 per pound
Secure (certificate of Destruction) $2.00 per pound Â
How to Prepare Universal Waste for Recycling ?
Preparing your materials before universal waste recycling helps ensure a faster and safer drop-off experience. Review the preparation requirements below to learn how to sort, package, and handle accepted Universal Waste items before visiting Green Century Recycling.
Items that do not meet the preparation requirements above may be rejected at the time of drop-off or pickup.
- Clean
- Dry
- Free of tape
- Free of labels
- Free of cardboard
- Free of laminate
- Free of nails
- Free of glue
- Free of paint
- Free of food residue