First, your safety is our number one priority! We never want you to do anything that you are uncomfortable doing. Please only pick up what you are comfortable handling. You can find training links and disposal resources in your Block Ambassador dashboard for more challenging items, but here are a few good ones to reference:

We ask that you dispose of the trash in your home trash bins. We acknowledge that this may not be an option for everyone depending on your trash service or if you are picking up large quantities of trash. In these cases, we recommend the following:

* If there are businesses on or near your block, many of our Ambassadors have had success trading a cleaner block and storefront in return for access to the business dumpster.

* Talk to your neighbors about sharing trash bin space. Many people are banding together to help make their neighborhoods cleaner, happier and safer.

* If you are needing disposal services for multiple bags of litter, and are located in the Portland metro area, Metro's RID Patrol tackles the problem of dumped garbage on public property and provides other cleanup services. Report dumped garbage at 503-234-3000 or online.

MetroRID teams are equipped to deal with large amounts of trash, old appliances, torn mattresses, used tires, broken furniture, oil, antifreeze, and pesticides that are dumped on public lands, sidewalks, alleyways, and waterways, putting human health and wildlife at risk.

Make a report HERE: https://ridpatrol.oregonmetro.gov/report/#/start

Contact the PDX Reporter: https://pdxreporter.org/#Login

THERE IS A LARGE ITEM CLOSE TO, PARTIALLY, OR COMPLETELY OBSTRUCTING AN INTERSTATE OR STATE HIGHWAY. WHAT DO I DO?

Email ask.odot@odot.state.or.us and be as specific as you can about the item and do your best to provide a precise location.

If the shopping cart belongs to Walmart, New Seasons, Trader Joe's, Grocery Outlet, Goodwill, or BigLots - please contact: Northwest Cart Retrieval services at (503) 427-1013 or report it at www.northwestcarts.com.

If the shopping cart belongs to anyone else - please contact that grocer's nearest store and ask them to pick it up. Your request is free and the costs of retrieval are paid for by the grocer.

Basic Guidelines for Cleaning Broken Glass:

1. Protect Yourself: Wear thick gloves and shoes to avoid harm. Consider eye protection as well if you're dealing with much smaller glass and/or it's a windy day.

2. Use Thick Trash Bags: Broken glass can be hard to recycle (always check with your waste hauler on what their preferences are). Take care to prevent glass shards from poking through your bags. You may also label your bag before throwing it away with "Contains Broken Glass".

3. Do What You Can: It may be hard to remove all broken glass depending on its location. Be safe and do what you can. A broom & dustpan are helpful for getting smaller pieces.

NOTE: If it's a windy day, wear eye protection to avoid getting glass dust in your eyes.

If you see an abandoned bike (typically stripped) locked up somewhere, place a report to the city for removal. Report Here: https://www.portland.gov/transportation/parking/report-abandoned-bicycle

1. Avoid direct contact with the bird. Wear disposable rubber gloves while handling the bird or wear gloves that you can immediately put through a hot soapy wash. A dead bird can also be picked up by inverting a plastic bag on your hand and grasping the bird through the plastic.

2. Double bag the bird in plastic bags and place it in a sealed garbage can or another safe container where it cannot be disturbed by other animals.

3. Do not bring the bird into your home.

4. Do not eat, drink, smoke or touch your face with the gloves while handling the bird.

5. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 30 seconds after handling the bird.

Resource link: https://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/health_program/dead_bird_reporting_protocol.asp