What Columbia County itself runs: 2 landfills, sites and programs covering 13 items. If your town doesn’t have its own page, these are usually the places to start.
Checked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check
Free mattress and box spring recycling events held several times a year (2026: March 14, June 13, September 12, November 14, 8 a.m.–noon) at the Columbia County Transfer Station, 1601 Railroad Ave., St. Helens. Up to 5 units per Columbia County resident.
Columbia County Transfer Station and Recycling Center
Columbia County site at 1601 Railroad Ave., St. Helens, OR 97051 (unincorporated Columbia County). Hours: Monday–Saturday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; closed Sundays and major holidays.
PaintCare retail sites accept latex and oil-based house paint, stains and varnish in containers up to 5 gallons, but not aerosols, unlabeled, leaking or empty containers. Checked October 26, 2026.
PaintCare lists Waste Connections at 1601 Railroad Ave, Saint Helens 97051 as a paint drop-off site (Households Only (No Businesses) in Oregon). Checked October 26, 2026.
Residents can drop off TVs, monitors, desktops, laptops, tablets, printers, keyboards and mice for free at select locations, including the transfer station. Checked October 26, 2026.
Household batteries on the accepted list are free at the transfer station; lead-acid batteries are $2.70 each. Checked October 26, 2026.
Non-vehicle and vehicle lead-acid batteries are accepted for $2.70 each. Checked October 26, 2026.
Batteries that cannot be removed from products (except cellphones), EV batteries and battery storage systems are not accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
Refrigerant appliances (refrigerators, freezers, A/C units) are $26.30 each. Checked October 26, 2026.
Passenger car tires are $5.20 off-rim or $10.50 on-rim; semi/tractor tires $15.70 off-rim or $26.20 on-rim. Checked October 26, 2026.
Paint (latex, oil, acrylic, stains) is free for residents only, in containers of 5 gallons or less, up to 10 gallons per day. Checked October 26, 2026.
Columbia County Solid Waste and the Mattress Recycling Council provide free mattress recycling events throughout the year at the Columbia County Transfer Station. Checked October 26, 2026.
Events are at 1601 Railroad Ave., St. Helens on March 14, June 13, September 12 and November 14, 8 a.m.–12 p.m. Checked October 26, 2026.
Mattresses (including foam) and box springs, stationary or adjustable, any size or condition; 5 units maximum per Columbia County resident. Checked October 26, 2026.
Mattress toppers or pads, air mattresses, crib mattresses, waterbeds, futons, sofas and pullout couches are not accepted. Checked October 26, 2026.
“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.