Recycle Aluminum Foil in the Portland Metro Area
Clean it. Ball it. Recycle It.
We’re working to ensure the most foil possible is recycled in Oregon. The Metro Area is stepping up to test whether aluminum foil and foil trays make it through the recycling system.
Ball it up! Aluminum foil and trays can be recycled in the Portland Metro Area – just make sure they’re clean, dry and balled up to at least the size of a baseball. Small or flat pieces can be missed by sorting equipment.
How to Recycle Foil the right way
Clean and Dry
No food, grease or stuck-on residue. Items with stuck-on food should go in the garbage.
Ball it Up
Aim for baseball-size or larger (bigger and tighter is best).
If in doubt,
ball more
If it’s foil, make it into one larger ball rather than tossing small pieces in the bin.
What Foil Items are
OK to Recycle When
Clean and Balled Up
- Aluminum foil sheets
- Single-use aluminum trays (like turkey or roasting pans)
- Aluminum take-out containers and foil lids
Aluminum Foil
If it’s completely clean & balled,
it’s recyclable.
Why this Matters
We’re working to ensure as much foil as possible is recycled in Oregon.
To do that, three counties – Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington – have stepped to test whether foil and trays make it through the system and are fully recycled.
The results from this trial will help determine the future of curbside foil recycling across the state.
Don’t live in the Metro Area?
Find a RecycleOn Center near you that accepts foil.
