May. 13, 2026
Since Re:Source accepted its first load in 2000, waste management methods and local disposal challenges have continued to evolve. From the beginning, our goal has been to keep Marion County’s waste moving forward–not just for our company, but for our community.
What does successful waste management look like?
At Re:Source, one of our core values is long-term success. While this may seem like an obvious goal for any business or organization, when we think of “success,” we don’t just define it by our own prosperity. We’re also considering how our work contributes to the long-term success of our community.
As Marion County’s waste management needs continue to grow, smart long-term solutions are needed to stave off some uncomfortable consequences for our environment and local neighborhoods. Developing and employing such systems now with future generations in mind is the foundational drive that informs every decision and investment we make.
Investing in modern waste solutions
For the last 25 years, we’ve invested the majority of our profits back into the Re:Source facility. Because of this, we’ve been able to leverage the latest equipment and technology to make things safer and more efficient for our workers and ensure the highest rate of recovery, saving over 1.25 million tons of reusable materials to date.
Meeting evolving needs
Thanks to our strategy of reinvestment, we’ve also been able to expand our capability to handle all of Marion County’s waste (from processing 20,000 tons our inaugural year to over 400,000 tons today!) while minimizing increases to haulers’ disposal fees, helping to keep local waste collection rates stable.
From the beginning, our goal has been to keep Marion County’s waste moving forward–not just for our company, but for our community.
Re:Source leadership has also worked with Marion County officials to establish contracts that allow us to take a portion of our non-recyclable waste to the Wasco County Landfill. This partnership reduces the strain on the Coffin Butte Landfill, especially important in light of the local incinerator’s closure, and helps mitigate the need to build a new landfill in our area.
Providing community education
We know that sustainable waste management relies on communal action and innovative ideas. That’s why education is one of our top priorities. In 2026, we’re revitalizing our education room to provide even more engaging hands-on learning opportunities. In addition to showing students and community members how they can support today’s recycling efforts, we aim to inspire the next generation to continue to create earth-friendly solutions for waste.
Successful waste management goes far beyond emptying curbside trash and recycling bins. It’s considering where that waste ends up, how it gets there, and how we can create long-term solutions to reduce its impact on our community and environment. It’s also creating a system that our neighbors can rely on to be safe, efficient, and cost-effective…a mission the team at Re:Source is invested in accomplishing today, and for decades to come.
Categories: Sustainability, Waste Management
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