Lane County, Ore. Approves New $150M Recycling Facility

Earlier this week, Oregon’s Lane County Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve a contract to build a new waste processing facility for the county.

The majority said that the Integrated Materials and Energy Recovery facility would reduce waste in Lane County, preserve the Short Mountain Landfill, and create jobs.

"Our job is being good stewards of our public resources," Commissioner Laurie Trieger said. "We also really owe it to our constituents to get out of the weeds and trust our professional staff and consultants and zoom out and think big picture. Because the decisions we make today are going to impact the future. … We [commissioners] all have kids and/or grandchildren and that's really who this project is for."

The facility is projected to cost $150 million. Bulk Handling Systems, who will operate the facility, will contribute $100 million. Lane County will contribute $35 million and the remaining $15 million will come from a federal tax credit.

To pay for the Integrated Materials and Energy Recovery Facility, Lane County will be increasing tipping fees 11% in 2024 and 2025, plus 6% inflation in 2026 and 2027.

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