Solid Waste & Recycling
Sustainability In Action
The Solid Waste Division is a resource to help guide your family, business or organization in solid waste best practices to ensure a sustainable environment for our community. Did you know that each day in the United States, about five pounds of trash is generated per person, which is nearly one ton per person every year? We can reduce how much ends up in the landfill by recycling and composting whenever possible, and most importantly, preventing waste production in the first place. By cutting down on food waste, buying and using less, or purchasing second-hand items, we can help keep Benton County cleaner, healthier and more sustainable.
Most Preferred
Least Preferred
Reduce
- Residential Food: Be mindful of perishable foods when buying in bulk, and plan meals ahead of shopping. Don’t let good food go bad! Spoiled food costs each household here in Oregon over $1,600 a year on average. Store leftovers in the front of the fridge, and prioritize eating those first
- Fruit and Vegetable Storage Guide (EN ESPAÑOL), No Food Left Behind
- Business Food: Food Waste Prevention – Wasted Food Wasted Money
- Clothing Care: Make Every Thread Count
- Reduce paper consumption by reducing Junk Mail – Helpful Resource
- Start or join a community tool share program
- Find rental options for tools and equipment that you use infrequently or shop locally at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Food Rescue
- The Corvallis Sustainability Coalition’s No Food Left Behind is a one-stop resource packed with resources to help you prevent food waste.
- Find a food pantry to donate to
- Find a local food gleaner.Gleaning is the practice of allowing people to harvest food from farms and orchards. There are 14 gleaning groups throughout Linn and Benton Counties.
Reuse & Repair
- The Corvallis Sustainability Coalition makes buying used and repairing items easy – Corvallis-Area ReUse and Waste Prevention Directory
- Shop reuse first! The OSUsed Nstore has a large variety of pre-loved items
- Check out useful items from Corvallis-Benton County Public Library – Library of Things
- Choose reusable cups and takeout containers instead of single-use packaging
- Use reusable bags for grocery store trips
- Choose reusable water bottles instead of plastic water bottles
- Learn how to fix things!- OSU’s DIY Reuse and Repair Demo Videos
- To find locations to donate, repair, or recycle – Searchable Waste Prevention Directory
Recycle
- Recycle Right! Use this guide to choose which items to recycle. All items must be empty, clean, and dry!
- Residential Recycling Information
- Business Recycling Information
Compost
- What can you compost
- Composting Information from Benton County Provider
- A Guide to Composting at the Curb – No Food Left Behind
- Composting at Home – If you’d rather make your own compost, check out these resources: Choosing a Compost System and Compost Bin Construction
- DEQ – Environmental Impacts of Foods
- Business Food Waste Recovery and Composting
- Restaurant Food Waste Prevention Guide
- Why is compostable packaging and service ware not accepted?
Disposal
- Hazardous Waste: What is considered hazardous waste
- Where can I dispose of hazardous waste
- Electronics
- Debris, Yard Waste and Garbage hauler for Benton County
- What can be disposed at Depot’s and where are they located
Benton County’s Materials Management program aims to help our communities prevent waste before it occurs. Watch this video from DEQ to learn more and visit our sustainability page for the county.