Reuse program diverts nine tons from landfill

Columbia County’s Solid Waste Program works to protect public health and the environment by providing responsible waste management services and promoting waste reduction, recycling, and reuse throughout the county. Its Reuse Program has diverted nearly 18,000 pounds of usable materials from the landfill since launching in fall of 2025. The effort helps keep usable materials out of the landfill while returning them to the community through local non-profit partners. The program operates at the Columbia County Solid Waste Transfer Station and focuses on identifying new or like-new items before they enter the waste stream. These items are then redirected to local non-profit partners where they can continue to be used by the community.

The reuse program was developed after a year-long planning process in 2024 and 2025. During this time, the County’s Solid Waste Department researched reuse programs in other counties, worked with transfer station operator Hudson Garbage, and received support from the Columbia County Board of Commissioners.

Hudson Garbage hired a reuse specialist who works at the transfer station to recover usable materials from the tipping floor before they are sent to the landfill. Since launching, the program has diverted nearly 18,000 pounds of materials, including construction supplies, home décor, art and craft materials, and other reusable items.

Recovered materials are distributed to community partners, including Habitat for Humanity, Top Notch Thrift Store, the Scappoose Senior Center, St. Helens Parks and Recreation, and other local non-profit organizations.

“I really love the Reuse Program and my role in it,” said Reuse Specialist Lori Baker. “I get to help divert usable items from the landfill and get them to terrific local non-profits like the senior center’s Top Notch Thrift Store and the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, which helps support their missions and our community. I also get to interact with customers and provide recycling support.”

Columbia County Solid Waste Coordinator Tatum Flowers said the early results showed how effective the program could be. “A program like this is rare, and with continued support from Hudson Garbage and the Reuse Specialist, we’ve already seen a huge impact,” Flowers said. “In the first three months of the program, we diverted more than 8,000 pounds away from the landfill and returned usable items back into the community through our non-profit partners.”

The Solid Waste Department plans to continue working with community partners and the transfer station operator to expand reuse opportunities and reduce the amount of material entering the landfill.