Transfer Station Information
There are two transfer stations in Columbia County. The main transfer station is the Columbia County Transfer Station in St. Helens. And there is a small transfer station called the Vernonia Transfer Station (managed by Waste Management) which is opened from 8am - 2pm on 2nd and 4th Saturdays (January-October) and 1st and 3rd Saturdays (November-December). A list of accepted items and pricing can be found at this link.
Free recycling drop-offs are located in St. Helens, Clatskanie, Rainier and Vernonia.
Columbia County Transfer Station
Location: 1601 Railroad Ave., St. Helens, OR 97051
Driving directions: From HYW 30, head East on Gable Rd. Immediately after crossing the train tracks, turn right on Railroad Avenue. Proceed down Railroad Avenue about ½ mile and the Columbia County Transfer Station entrance will be on the right.
Phone: 503-397-9811
Hours of operation: Monday - Saturday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Closed Sundays.
Holidays: Closed New Years Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. The Transfer Station may close at or after 1 PM on the following days: Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve.
Secure your load to help prevent accidents and avoid fees.
Solid waste rates (effective July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026):
Commercial Tipping Fee | $ 112.36/ton |
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Self-Haul |
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Minimum up to 320 lbs. | $ 27.48 |
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| Senior Rate up to 320 lbs. | $ 16.91 | |
Over 320 lbs. | $ 167.19/ton |
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Yard Debris |
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Minimum up to 860 lbs. | $ 27.48 |
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Over 860 lbs. | $ 65.65/ton |
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Unsecured Load* | $ 19.00 |
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SPECIAL HANDLING FEE | $ 80.00 Boat/RV | Call Transfer Station at (503) 397-9811 for RV disposal requirements. (This fee does not include disposal rate and charges for freon/emptying tanks.) |
Recycling rates (effective July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026):
| Antifreeze | $ 1.65/gallon (in leak-proof container) ** | |
| Automotive Batteries | $ 2.70/each (no broken or leaking batteries) ** | |
| Fluorescent Tubes | $ 0.20/ft. ** | |
| Paint (Latex, Oil, Acrylic, Stains) | FREE (in containers of 5 gallons or less) *** | |
| Medical Sharps | FREE in certified containers. Medical Sharps are accepted for disposal during normal operations provided they are dropped off in certified containers. Certified containers are available at no cost at the Transfer Station Scale House to Columbia County residents only. | |
| Refrigerant Appliances | $ 26.30/each (Refrigerators, Freezers, A/C units) | |
| Tires: | - Passenger Car off-rim | $ 5.20/each |
| - Passenger Car on-rim | $ 10.50/each |
| - Semi/Tractor off-rim | $ 15.70/each |
| - Semi/Tractor on-rim | $ 26.20/each | |
| (Bicycle, motorcycle, and solid core tires = garbage rate) | |
| Used Motor Oil | FREE (placed in leak proof containers) | |
| Used Oil Filters | $ 1.15/each (drained, bagged & placed with used motor oil) | |
** These items are subject to change BUT are accepted for FREE during the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events.
*** Up to 25 gallons of paint is accepted at Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events.