Garbage and Recycling
The Solid Waste Division oversees the management of garbage and recycling in Columbia County.
We provide safe, responsible, and economical recycling and disposal services, while respecting the environment and communities we serve.
In addition to operating the Columbia County Transfer Station in St. Helens, the Division plans, organizes, and directs the county's recycling, waste reduction, reuse, and household hazardous waste programs. The Division also administers the county's Solid Waste Management Plan→ and its Solid Waste Ordinance→, as well as solid waste collection franchises (garbage hauling companies) within the unincorporated area of the county. The Vernonia Transfer Station→ is managed by Waste Management and has its own fees and hours→. It is open two Saturdays per month
Columbia County Transfer Station Information
Need to get rid of stuff? Here's how to do it. Find your hauler, learn about what's accepted at the Columbia County Transfer Station, and get information on fees.
- Hours and general information
- Materials accepted for disposal and recycling
- Transfer Station (St. Helens) Rates and fees
- How to secure your load and safely transport items
- Vernonia Transfer Station (managed by Waste Management) Fees and hours
Residential Curbside Collection
Who's your hauler? What do they pick up? What can you recycle? What do they charge?
- for those living in the unincorporated areas around Scappoose - Waste Management
- for those living in the unincorporated areas around St. Helens, Clatskanie, and Rainier - Hudson Garbage Services
- for those living in the unincorporated areas around Vernonia - Waste Management
TOOLS AND RESOURCES
How to recycle properly
Depending on where you live and who your hauler is, recycling information varies. the unincorporated areas of Columbia County served by Waste Management and Hudson Garbage Services do follow the same guidelines though. Print out this handy, colorful recycling guide and post it near your bins for easy reference!
Be a good neighbor!
Report illegally dumped garbage by contacting our DumpStoppers→ program. DumpStoppers works in coordination with Columbia County's Code Enforcement and Community Justice divisions to clean up illegal dumpsites throughout the county. The program responded to more than 50 illegal dumpsite reports and cleaned up 45 sites in 2018. The county spent nearly $3,000 in tipping fees to bring this trash to the transfer station.
Disposal of medication and sharps
If you have unwanted prescription/over-the-counter medications or use sharps at home, take advantage of the FREE medication disposal and sharps container exchange program→
Household hazardous waste
Learn about household hazardous waste→ and Columbia County's collection events for county residents throughout the year. Search the schedule→ for an event near you.
Asbestos Information
Learn about asbestos in household waste, how to remove it, and where to bring it.