Deschutes County explores landfill alternatives and new recycling facilities

The Benton County Board of Commissioners held a Goal-Setting Work Session on May 13, 2025, focusing on various operational and strategic discussions. The meeting began with a review of waste management practices, particularly comparing Benton County's situation with that of Deschutes and Lane Counties.

Commissioners discussed the challenges Benton County faces in finding an alternate site for waste management. Unlike Benton County, Deschutes County owns its landfill, compost operation, and recycling transfer station, which gives them greater control and influence over their waste management processes. The discussion highlighted Deschutes County's plans to establish a material recovery facility to reduce the need for transporting recyclables to Portland, as well as their exploration of a construction and demolition (C&D) facility.

The conversation then shifted to the importance of understanding the county's reuse recovery rate. A commissioner inquired about the current rates in neighboring counties, emphasizing the need to identify what facilities contribute to higher recovery rates and what improvements could be made in Benton County to enhance its performance.

Following the waste management discussion, Gary Stock from Public Works introduced the next agenda item regarding veterinary transit and self-perform analysis. This segment aimed to address operational efficiencies within the county's veterinary services.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to gather further information on the reuse recovery rates and the facilities that could improve Benton County's waste management outcomes. The commissioners expressed appreciation for the insights shared during the session and outlined next steps for continued discussions on these critical issues.