City of Portland celebrates completion of South and Southwest Portland public trash can expansion

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On June 17, community members, artists, City leaders and program partners gathered to celebrate the completion of the South and Southwest Portland expansion of the City of Portland's Public Trash Can Program.

Artist Shobha Jetmalani celebrates the unveiling of new S/SW trash can featuring her art.

The milestone marks the installation of 150 new public trash cans in neighborhoods across South and Southwest Portland, bringing convenient waste disposal options to areas that residents, businesses and neighborhood partners identified as needing them most.

The expansion is part of the City's ongoing effort to improve cleanliness, reduce litter, and invest in the public spaces Portlanders use every day. Since 2019, Portland's public trash can network has grown from fewer than 700 cans to more than 1,550 cans citywide.

"I'm celebrating the expansion of this trash can program in District 34 in our south and southwest neighborhoods" said District 4 Councilor Mitch Green. "This is an important milestone that many of the neighbors have been excited for, including myself, for a long time."

The Public Trash Can Program, managed by the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability's Solid Waste and Recycling team, uses community feedback and data to guide where new cans are placed. Thousands of Portlanders have shared ideas through surveys, neighborhood outreach efforts and conversations with local partners, helping shape a system that better serves neighborhoods across the city.

"Each month, our public trash can network collects approximately 394,000 pounds of trash. That's almost 200 tons a month," said Solid Waste and Recycling Manager Eben Polk. "From a sustainability perspective, we want that number to go down and we will continue to work towards that goal."

The celebration also highlighted the role of public art in strengthening neighborhood identity and creating a sense of place. Artists whose work is featured on decorated trash cans joined the event, sharing how their designs reflect Portland's diverse cultures and communities.

Following remarks from City leaders, artists and program staff, attendees gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and group photo alongside newly installed and artist-designed trash cans.

The South and Southwest expansion builds on previous phases of the Public Trash Can Program and demonstrates the City's commitment to making visible, community-informed investments that improve daily life for Portlanders.

To learn more about Portland's Public Trash Can Program, visit the program webpage.

Councilor Green, DCA Donnie Oliveira, Trash Can Expansion staff, Artist Shobha Jetmalani and COR representatives celebrate the ribbon cutting of the newest public trash cans.