Each year, the Solid Waste Division of the Public Works Department hosts several no-cost Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection events throughout Columbia County. The HHW Collection Program allows residents to drop off various toxic and unsafe materials that are not permitted in the regular disposal or recycling process.
Please check the Columbia County website for further updates: https://www.columbiacountyor.gov/…/SolidWaste/hhw-schedule.
- DATE: April 13th / 8am-Noon
- LOCATION: 377 Bridge Street, Vernonia
Your household hazardous waste must be in your vehicle’s bed, trunk, or hatchback – not the passenger compartment. Unloading may take a few extra minutes as extra safety measures will be in place. Please be patient, and please remain in your car.
Items must be in containers not larger than five (5) gallons and should be secured safely during transport. Trained household hazardous waste technicians will unload materials from your vehicle. Examples of acceptable items:
- fireworks and flares
- gas / diesel / fuels / motor oil / antifreeze
- lawn and garden chemicals
- herbicides and pesticides
- pool and spa chemicals
- light ballasts—must be removed from light fixtures
- fluorescent tubes
- art and hobby chemicals
- solvents and thinners
- items containing mercury
- propane and compressed gas cylinders
- batteries – all types and applications
- cleaners and detergents
- poisons
- paint and paint products (latex and acrylic paint, oil-based paint, enamel, stains, lacquers, shellacs, varnishes, primers, etc.)
- cooking oil
- medical sharps in OSHA-approved, puncture-proof containers
- ammunition
The Transfer Station’s normal disposal fees for automotive batteries, antifreeze, and fluorescent tubes are waived during HHW Collection events. Unwanted paint, used motor oil, and used cooking oil are always free to dispose of at the Transfer Station during regular business hours.
Medical sharps in a sealed, self-closing, puncture-proof, OSHA-approved container are received, at no cost, at the Transfer Station Scale House during business hours. Columbia County residents can enroll in the FREE Sharps Containers Exchange Program at the Transfer Station Scale House.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office accepts expired or unwanted medication at 901 Port Ave., St. Helens. They are open 7 days per week, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Place items in the MedReturn collection box.
For all other materials, including materials from Very Small Quantity Generators (VSQGs, <220 lbs./mo.) and liquids in containers larger than 5 gallons, call Mark Hayes | ACT Enviro (971.303.2972) at least 2 weeks prior to an event for an appointment.
The county collects and disposes of hazardous waste through safe, environmentally responsible practices, protecting the health of our communities and the environment. For more information, contact Jacob Anderson by phone at 503-397-7259 or by email at [email protected].