Scrap Metal Recycling in St. Helens, OR
Scrap metal goes free into the recycling area at the Columbia County Transfer Station in St. Helens.
See all 2 optionsChecked October 26, 2026 · Call before you go · How we check
Before you go
- Ask whether items must be mostly metal and free of refrigerant, fuel or oil.
- Check whether the operator pays for metal or charges a fee.
Oregon rules
- Curbside, scrap metal is accepted only if under 10 pounds and shorter than 18 inches; no sharp or tangling items. Source: Oregon DEQ: Local Government Recycling Acceptance List (Aug. 4, 2025) (opens in new tab)
- Recycling depots on the statewide list take all ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal, including appliances. Source: Oregon DEQ: Local Government Recycling Acceptance List (Aug. 4, 2025) (opens in new tab)
More Oregon rules (9)
- ORS 459.247 bars disposing of, and disposal sites from knowingly accepting, discarded large home appliances, used oil, tires, lead-acid batteries and covered electronic devices. Source: ORS Chapter 459: Solid Waste Management (2025 edition) (opens in new tab)
- Disposal sites may still accept and store these banned items for recycling or recovery. Source: ORS Chapter 459: Solid Waste Management (2025 edition) (opens in new tab)
- The Recycling Modernization Act (SB 582, 2021) took effect Jan. 1, 2022, and recycling program changes started in July 2025. Source: Oregon DEQ: Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (opens in new tab)
- Under the RMA, producers of packaged items, paper products and food serviceware pay for many recycling system improvements. Source: Oregon DEQ: Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (opens in new tab)
- From July 1, 2025, local governments began moving to one consistent list of materials collected curbside and at depots. Source: Oregon DEQ: Local Government Recycling Acceptance List (Aug. 4, 2025) (opens in new tab)
- In Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties, DEQ refers residents to RecycleOrNot.org or the Metro Recycling Information hotline, 503-234-3000. Source: Oregon DEQ: Recycle Right! (opens in new tab)
- DEQ says household hazardous waste should not go down the sink, on the ground, down a storm drain or in the garbage. Source: Oregon DEQ: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- DEQ lists pesticides, herbicides, solvents, fuels, paints, motor oil, antifreeze and mercury-containing wastes as household hazardous waste. Source: Oregon DEQ: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
- DEQ keeps a county list of locally sponsored HHW programs, including permanent collection facilities. Source: Oregon DEQ: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab)
Where this information comes from (14)
Where this information comes from
Checked October 26, 2026
- ORS Chapter 459: Solid Waste Management (2025 edition) (opens in new tab) · Oregon State Legislature
- ORS 459.247 bars disposing of, and disposal sites from knowingly accepting, discarded large home appliances, used oil, tires, lead-acid batteries and covered electronic devices. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Disposal sites may still accept and store these banned items for recycling or recovery. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Oregon DEQ: Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act (opens in new tab) · Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
- The Recycling Modernization Act (SB 582, 2021) took effect Jan. 1, 2022, and recycling program changes started in July 2025. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Under the RMA, producers of packaged items, paper products and food serviceware pay for many recycling system improvements. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Oregon DEQ: Local Government Recycling Acceptance List (Aug. 4, 2025) (opens in new tab) · Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
- From July 1, 2025, local governments began moving to one consistent list of materials collected curbside and at depots. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Curbside, scrap metal is accepted only if under 10 pounds and shorter than 18 inches; no sharp or tangling items. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Recycling depots on the statewide list take all ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal, including appliances. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Oregon DEQ: Recycle Right! (opens in new tab) · Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
- In Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties, DEQ refers residents to RecycleOrNot.org or the Metro Recycling Information hotline, 503-234-3000. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Oregon DEQ: Household Hazardous Waste (opens in new tab) · Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
- DEQ says household hazardous waste should not go down the sink, on the ground, down a storm drain or in the garbage. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DEQ lists pesticides, herbicides, solvents, fuels, paints, motor oil, antifreeze and mercury-containing wastes as household hazardous waste. Checked October 26, 2026.
- DEQ keeps a county list of locally sponsored HHW programs, including permanent collection facilities. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Columbia County: Transfer Station Accepted and Unaccepted Items (opens in new tab) · Columbia County
- Items in the free recycling list can be dropped off at the Recycling Center for free. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Scrap metal (such as metal cooking pots) is on the free recycling list. Checked October 26, 2026.
- Columbia County: Transfer Station Information (rates effective July 15, 2026 - June 30, 2027) (opens in new tab) · Columbia County · effective July 15, 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.
“Checked” means we read the official page on that date. Things can change, so call before you go.
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