Salem-area apartment owners, asset managers, and on-site teams: Oregon’s recycling rules now reach inside your communities. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling program is engineered to align with Oregon’s Opportunity to Recycle Act (ORS 459A), OAR 340-090 (Recycling & Waste Reduction), and the City of Salem’s Solid Waste Management Code (Chapter 47), while plugging directly into Marion County’s multifamily recycling program for 5+ unit properties. We help you give residents the modern recycling amenity they expect and document compliance so you’re ready for inspectors, haulers, and owners.
Within Salem city limits and across Marion and Polk Counties, local governments must ensure that multi-family dwelling complexes with five or more units receive recycling collection and education under Oregon law. That expectation is implemented through:
- State law: The ORS 459A “Opportunity to Recycle” framework and OAR 340-090 (Division 90) require a multifamily recycling program for complexes with 5+ units.
- Local code: Salem Revised Code Chapter 47 – Solid Waste Management regulates solid waste, recycling, and franchised collection service citywide.
- County program: Marion County’s Multifamily Recycling Program, which explicitly states that the property manager must request recycling service and provides free onsite assistance for properties with 5+ units.
On top of these requirements, Marion County residents face contamination fees of up to about $15.45 per pickup when the wrong materials are placed in recycling carts, so having a well-run program and clear resident education is more than just “green”—it’s risk management.
- Protect NOI & Reduce Compliance Risk: Align your property with ORS 459A, OAR 340-090, Salem Chapter 47, and Marion County’s multifamily program so inspectors, lenders, and asset managers see a clear compliance story.
- Resident-First Convenience: Doorstep service that keeps residents out of dark enclosures, reduces trips to dumpsters, and turns recycling into a simple, repeatable habit instead of a guess.
- Code-Smart Design: Container layouts, labels, and service frequencies designed around Oregon’s 5+ unit multifamily requirements, local franchise standards, and Marion County’s contamination rules.
- Hands-Off Compliance for Property Managers: We handle hauler coordination, resident education, and documentation so your team can focus on leasing, renewals, and community experience.
At a Glance: City of Salem vs. Marion & Polk Counties
City of Salem (Inside City Limits)
- Mandate Type: Mandatory opportunity to recycle for residents, including at multifamily properties, implemented locally through code and franchise arrangements.
- Applicability Threshold: Multifamily recycling programs in Oregon are built around “multi-family dwelling complexes having five or more units” under OAR 340-090-0040 and related guidance.
- Property Manager Duties: Work with the city-franchised hauler to provide recycling collection at multifamily properties, maintain adequate container capacity, co-locate recycling with trash where feasible, and keep collection areas safe and accessible to residents under Salem Revised Code Chapter 47.
- Program Duties: Provide recycling containers and regular resident education consistent with Oregon’s Opportunity to Recycle elements for multi-tenant properties, including information at move-in and at least annually.
- Key City & State Links: Salem Revised Code – Chapter 47 · Salem Garbage & Recycling Providers · ORS 459A – Recycling & Waste Reduction · OAR 340-090 – Recycling & Waste Reduction
Marion & Polk Counties (All Cities & Unincorporated Areas)
- Mandate Type: Statewide multifamily “opportunity to recycle” requirement for complexes with 5+ units, implemented through county programs and city/hauler franchises.
- Applicability Threshold: Local governments must ensure “multi-family dwelling complexes having five or more units” receive recycling collection and education as part of the statewide program elements. This covers apartment communities across Marion and Polk Counties.
- Program Duties:
Counties and cities establish recycling collection through ordinance, franchise, or contract; Marion County operates a dedicated Multifamily Recycling Program that:
- Requires the property manager to request recycling service for multifamily sites.
- Provides free onsite assessments, signage, and bilingual resident materials.
- Risk Profile: Even where there is no separate, city-specific apartment recycling ordinance, properties can still face solid-waste, nuisance, and contamination violations (including per-pickup contamination fees) if containers overflow or residents are not using recycling correctly.
- How National Doorstep Helps: We design valet trash & recycling programs that reflect Oregon’s multifamily requirements and Marion County’s contamination rules, so your Salem-area properties are “inspection ready” across all jurisdictions.
Marion & Polk County Cities & Apartment Recycling Mandates
Salem, OR anchors a regional system where Oregon’s Opportunity to Recycle Act and OAR 340-090 require multifamily recycling access and education for properties with 5+ dwelling units. Marion County has a formal multifamily program; other cities in Marion and Polk Counties follow statewide requirements and local franchise rules rather than standalone apartment-recycling codes. Property managers are still expected to provide recycling access, prevent overflow, and keep enclosures clean.
| City | Apartment Recycling Mandate? | Notes for Owners & Property Managers |
|---|---|---|
| Salem (Marion & Polk Counties) | Yes – Multifamily recycling required under state law, implemented locally |
Salem is the county seat of Marion County and extends into Polk County. Multifamily properties with 5+ units fall under Oregon’s “opportunity to recycle” framework, which requires a multifamily recycling program, including collection and resident education. Salem implements this through Chapter 47 – Solid Waste Management and its franchised haulers, while Marion County provides technical assistance and multifamily support. Key local links: Salem Revised Code – Chapter 47 · Marion County Multifamily Recycling |
| Aumsville | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements |
Located in Marion County, Aumsville’s apartment communities are subject to Oregon’s multifamily recycling program elements for 5+ unit properties. Service is delivered through county- and city-approved haulers and Marion County’s recycling system. Even without an Aumsville-specific apartment ordinance, owners should arrange recycling, provide resident education, and prevent overflow or nuisance conditions. County info: Marion County – Official Site |
| Aurora | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements | Multifamily properties in Aurora (Marion County) are expected to offer recycling access and resident education consistent with ORS 459A and OAR 340-090 for complexes with 5 or more units. Recycling service is typically arranged through local haulers within Marion County’s system. |
| Detroit | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements | Smaller mountain community where apartments still fall under Marion County and statewide recycling obligations. Property managers should coordinate with county-linked haulers to provide recycling and keep shared areas compliant. |
| Donald | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements | Apartments in Donald (Marion County) are treated as multi-tenant generators under the Opportunity to Recycle Act. Provide mixed recycling and glass access, plus periodic resident education, and maintain clean enclosures to avoid solid-waste violations. |
| Gates (part – Marion County) | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements | The Marion County portion of Gates is subject to the same 5+ unit multifamily recycling expectations. Work with your hauler and Marion County Environmental Services to set up convenient recycling service if you manage apartments here. |
| Gervais | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements | Multifamily communities in Gervais share Marion County’s recycling infrastructure. While there is no published, Gervais-only apartment recycling code, state law and county programs expect property managers of 5+ unit communities to provide recycling and education. |
| Hubbard | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements | As in other Marion County cities, Hubbard apartments with 5+ units should have on-site recycling and resident education. Marion County’s multifamily program can provide free assessments and materials to support property managers. |
| Idanha (part – Marion County) | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements | The Marion County portion of Idanha is included in the statewide multifamily recycling requirement. Smaller or scattered-site multifamily still benefit from structured valet trash & recycling to keep shared areas clean and compliant. |
| Jefferson | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements | Jefferson’s multifamily properties are part of Marion County’s wasteshed. Property managers of 5+ unit complexes are expected to provide recycling access and education; failure to do so may be addressed through county or state solid-waste enforcement if problems arise. |
| Keizer | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements | Keizer is the second-largest city in Marion County. Multifamily properties with 5+ units must provide residents an opportunity to recycle and receive regular recycling education, in line with statewide law and regional multifamily program expectations. Container management and contamination control are critical in dense communities. |
| Mill City (part – Marion County) | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements | For properties on the Marion County side of Mill City, multifamily recycling access and resident education are required under statewide rules and county programs. Property managers should coordinate service levels with their hauler and Marion County Environmental Services. |
| Mt. Angel | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements | Mt. Angel apartments participate in Marion County’s broader recycling system. While there is not a separate, Mt. Angel-only multifamily recycling chapter, state law and county expectations still apply to 5+ unit properties. |
| St. Paul | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements | St. Paul multifamily communities should provide on-site recycling and resident education consistent with ORS 459A and OAR 340-090. Proper container sizing and clear signage limit contamination and operational headaches during events and peak seasons. |
| Scotts Mills | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements | Even in smaller communities like Scotts Mills, multifamily properties fall under the statewide opportunity-to-recycle requirements. Property managers should ensure that any 5+ unit complex has access to recycling collection and basic resident education. |
| Silverton | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements | Silverton is a larger Marion County city with growing multifamily stock. Apartments with 5+ units are expected to offer recycling access and education; owners should also prevent enclosure overflow and illegal dumping to avoid nuisance violations. |
| Stayton | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements | Stayton apartments are served by county- and city-approved haulers under statewide recycling rules. There is no additional published, apartment-specific ordinance beyond Oregon’s framework, but multifamily recycling access and education are still expected. |
| Sublimity | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements | Multifamily communities in Sublimity are part of the Marion County system. Property managers should treat recycling as a required utility for 5+ unit properties, not an optional amenity. |
| Turner | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements | Apartments in Turner fall under Marion County’s recycling framework and statewide multifamily requirements. Offering structured valet trash & recycling helps properties keep up with county contamination expectations. |
| Woodburn | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements | Woodburn is a major city in Marion County. Multifamily properties are expected to provide on-site recycling for residents and participate in Marion County’s evolving recycling rules, including contamination controls and education efforts. Local communications frequently reference changes in county recycling rules and the importance of proper sorting. |
| Dallas (Polk County seat) | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements |
Dallas is the county seat of Polk County. While there is no separate, Dallas-only multifamily recycling mandate identified beyond state law, apartments with 5+ units are still subject to Oregon’s opportunity-to-recycle requirements and local hauler rules. Focus on adequate recycling capacity, clean enclosures, and resident education to avoid nuisance and solid-waste violations. County info: Polk County – Official Site |
| Falls City | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements | Falls City apartments follow statewide multifamily recycling rules through Polk County’s system. Properties should coordinate with local haulers to ensure residents have access to recycling collection and basic sorting guidance. |
| Independence | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements | Independence is a Polk County city within the Salem metro area. Multifamily communities with 5+ units are part of Oregon’s required multifamily recycling program and should offer convenient recycling access and periodic resident education, even though no extra, city-specific mandate has been identified. |
| Monmouth | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements | As a college town, Monmouth benefits from robust recycling participation. Property managers of 5+ unit complexes should work with local haulers and Polk County to size containers correctly, manage contamination, and provide regular recycling reminders to residents. |
| Willamina (portion in Polk County) | Covered by statewide multifamily recycling requirements | The portion of Willamina within Polk County falls under Oregon’s multifamily recycling framework. Any 5+ unit properties should have access to recycling collection and education delivered through city/county arrangements with haulers. |
Salem / Marion–Polk Fines & Penalties Snapshot
- Contamination Fees (Residents & Properties): Under Marion County’s hauler rate structures, residents who place the wrong items in recycling carts can face contamination fees of up to about $15.45 per pickup, as reported by county communications and local media and reflected in hauler FAQs. These fees may be passed through to the property when contamination is recurrent.
- Code & Franchise Violations: Violations of Salem Revised Code Chapter 47, county solid-waste ordinances, or franchise conditions (for example, repeated failure to maintain service, chronic overflow, or improper container management) can lead to citations, civil penalties, or enforcement actions. Fine amounts and classifications (civil vs. misdemeanor) are set by local code and schedules, and may accrue on a per-day basis.
- State-Level Enforcement: The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has authority to enforce recycling program requirements, including the multifamily elements of ORS 459A and OAR 340-090, and may act where local programs consistently fail to provide the required “opportunity to recycle.”
- Risk to Property Managers: While many contamination fees show up first on resident or property utility bills, persistent non-compliance (no recycling provided at a 5+ unit property, unmanaged overflow, or ongoing contamination) increases the risk of local enforcement, reputational damage, and scrutiny from lenders or prospective buyers.
- Risk Management Tip: Maintain a simple compliance file: hauler contracts, service level confirmations, site maps, photos of container areas, copies of resident recycling notices, and any correspondence with Marion or Polk County staff. This documentation demonstrates good-faith alignment with state and local requirements if a complaint or inspection occurs.
Salem / Marion–Polk Multifamily Recycling Compliance Checklist
| Task | Action / Requirement | Helpful Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Confirm Jurisdiction & Unit Count | Verify whether your community is inside Salem city limits or in another city within Marion or Polk County, and confirm your total dwelling units. If you have 5 or more units, you fall within Oregon’s multifamily recycling program expectations and should provide on-site recycling plus resident education. | Salem Garbage & Recycling Info · Marion County Multifamily Recycling |
| ☑ Engage the Correct Franchised Hauler | In Salem and most of Marion County, service is provided by franchised haulers. Confirm which hauler serves your address and ensure your account includes recycling service in addition to garbage. In Polk County cities, verify service with city or county and confirm recycling options for multifamily sites. | Salem – Utility Providers · Marion County Recycling Programs |
| ☑ Provide Adequate Recycling Capacity & Co-Location | Size recycling and garbage containers so they do not routinely overflow and so residents are not tempted to “trash” recyclables. Where possible, co-locate recycling with garbage in shared enclosures or near valet pickup points, mirroring Oregon’s multi-tenant program guidance. | OAR 340-090 – Multifamily Elements · DEQ Multi-Tenant Recycling Guidance (PDF) |
| ☑ Resident Education & Signage | Provide clear, recurring resident education at move-in and at least annually: what can be recycled, where containers are located, and how valet trash & recycling works. Use signage on enclosures, at mail kiosks, and in digital channels so residents know exactly what to do and contamination is minimized. | Marion County Multifamily Resources · State of Multi-Tenant Recycling in Oregon (PDF) |
| ☑ Monitor Contamination & Avoid Fees | Train onsite teams to spot contamination in recycling and glass carts and to coach residents proactively. Track any contamination notices or per-pickup fees from haulers (often around $15+ per contaminated pickup) and adjust education, container placement, or valet procedures to correct root causes. | Marion County – Curbside Recycling Rules |
| ☑ Document Service & Compliance | Maintain a file with hauler contracts, service logs, photos of enclosures, copies of resident notices, and any emails with county or city staff. This documentation demonstrates that you, as the property manager, are actively providing the required recycling opportunity and managing risk for owners and investors. | Marion County Environmental Services · Polk County – Solid Waste Info |
Want a simple, inspector-ready recycling plan for your Salem-area property? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Salem / Marion–Polk community. We’ll review your current setup, right-size containers and service, design a resident-friendly valet trash & recycling program, and prepare the documentation you need to show alignment with Oregon law, Salem Chapter 47, and county multifamily expectations.
Interested in talking about how we can work together? Here's our contact info.
