'City of Roses' Does Not Smell as Sweet--Snow Halts Garbage Pickups

PORTLAND -- The snow isn't the only thing getting dirty in the Portland metro area.

The record snowfall of the past week prevented garbage haulers from making pickups, and it's starting to show. Trash is piling up around Pioneer Courthouse Square, with bins overflowing. It's the same sight at homes, businesses and apartment buildings across the city and its suburbs.

The heavy snow arrived at an especially trashy time, with the holidays generating extra paper, plastic, food and other waste.

A total of 23 haulers serve Portland and virtually none has picked up trash this week, said Bruce Walker, manager of Portland's solid waste and recycling program.

"They're trying to get out to commercial and residential customers but the unplowed streets make it dangerous," Walker said. "It's not wise to make those collections in these conditions."

With the weather hovering at or below freezing, officials don't see the garbage causing any health issues. But the piling trash is starting to worry and annoy some people.

"Your worst nightmare would be to throw that stuff out and have animals tear into the bags," Jim Rathbun of Lake Oswego told The Oregonian newspaper. "If the bags were outside on the sidewalk, that would be a hot issue. And rats. Can you imagine?"

Collections that would have taken place Christmas Day were rescheduled for Friday, while Friday pickups were pushed to Saturday - giving haulers even more to collect on those days. If, that is, they can get their trucks out on the icy streets.

"We urge patience," Walker said. "It will all get collected as soon as it's safe to get out there."

The good news for Portland? While new weather systems promise a lot of additional snow for high elevations, Portland and other low-lying areas in the Northwest will get rain and warmer temps starting today.