Extra safety measures will be in place. Please be patient, unloading may take a few extra minutes. Have all your household hazardous waste in the truck bed or trunk or hatchback of your car, not the passenger compartment. And please remain in your vehicle.

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Oregon – September 15, 2021 – Here is your chance to remove toxic items from your home before winter sets in. Columbia County is hosting a household hazardous waste event in Clatskanie on Saturday, October 2, 2021. Various toxic and unsafe materials can be brought to the free event at Clatskanie City Park from 8 a.m. until noon. 

Items must be in containers of less than five (5) gallons and should be secured safely during transport. Trained household hazardous waste technicians will unload materials from your vehicle. 

The following items will be accepted: 

• fireworks and flares 
• gas / diesel / fuels / motor oil/ antifreeze 
• lawn and garden chemicals 
• herbicides and pesticides 
• pool and spa chemicals 
• light ballasts—please remove from light fixture 
• fluorescent tubes 
• art and hobby chemicals 
• solvents and thinners 
• items containing mercury 
• propane cylinders 
• compressed gas cylinders 
• batteries - automotive, rechargeable, button, alkaline batteries 
• cleaners and detergents 
• paint and paint products (latex and acrylic paint, oil-based paint, enamel, stains, lacquers, shellacs, varnishes, primers) 
• poisons 
• medical sharps in OSHA-approved, puncture-proof containers 
• ammunition 

No garbage, trash, or any item containing asbestos will be taken. 

Did you know you can bring your full Sharps Containers to the Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District located at 280 SE Third Street in Clatskanie Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.? Bring your full sharps container for proper disposal and receive a new empty container at no cost. 

The Columbia County Sheriff accepts expired or unwanted medication at 901 Port Ave., St. Helens. They are open 7 days a week, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Place items in the MedReturn collection box.

Columbia County sponsors free household hazardous waste events (for county residents only) in various locations throughout the area. The next event takes place Saturday, October 23, 2021, at the Columbia County Transfer Station. Please check the Columbia County website for further updates https://www.columbiacountyor.gov/departments/SolidWaste/schedule-for-household-hazardous-waste-collection-events.

For more information, contact Kathy Boutin-Pasterz phone at 503-397-7259 or by email at kathleen.boutin-pasterz@columbiacountyor.gov.

# # #

ABOUT COLUMBIA COUNTY’S SOLID WASTE PROGRAM 

Columbia County plans, organizes, and directs recycling, reuse, waste reduction, and household hazardous waste management programs throughout its 657 square-mile area. The county operates a transfer station in St. Helens and administers the solid waste collection events within the unincorporated area of the county.