Sep. 23, 2026
Working in waste services is often seen as a dirty job. While that can be true in the literal sense, it’s also true that taking care of our community’s waste is an essential service (just like your electricity, gas or water company, or your local fire station), and one that makes a real difference for the health of our neighborhoods and environment.
Re:Source has been dedicated to building a more sustainable waste management system since the facility accepted its first load in 2000. What began as a way of recovering reusable materials from construction and demolition (C&D) debris has grown to cover all of Marion County’s waste processing needs.
While preventing trash from polluting our cities is one of the obvious perks of a good waste management system, here are some other ways this work makes a positive local impact.
Landfill Diversion
With a mix of modern equipment and hand sorting, Re:Source recovers wood, metal, rock, and cardboard from C&D and transfer station waste. All materials are then taken to nearby approved processors for recycling.
The Impact
- 68,000 tons saved from being landfilled in 2025; over 1.25 million tons total since 2000
- Helps mitigate the need for new landfills to be built or existing landfills expanded
- Valuable resources stay within the region and support the local economy
Efficient Transportation
Special compacting equipment enables Re:Source to combine the waste from four collection trucks into a single 29-ton load, ensuring waste can be taken to its final destination in the most efficient way possible.
The Impact
- 1,150 fewer semi-truck trips per year
- 20,000 gallons of fuel saved annually
- Reduced traffic and wear on local roads
Providing Fuel for Clean Energy
Through Re:Source’s partnership with Freres Engineered Wood, recovered wood waste is burned as fuel at Freres’ cogeneration plant in Lyons. The renewable energy created supplies heat for Freres’ manufacturing processes and sends steam-generated electricity to the local utility grid.
The Impact
- Supports local, American-made manufacturing
- Supplies 5,000 area homes with clean energy
- Reduces reliance on finite, less environmentally friendly energy sources
…taking care of our community’s waste is an essential service…one that makes a real difference for the health of our neighborhoods and environment.
Supporting Compost Production
All organic waste collected in Marion County is consolidated at Re:Source before being taken to Pacific Region Compost, where it’s transformed into nutrient-rich compost, much of which makes its way to local farms.
The Impact
- 50,000 yards of compost generated annually
- Provides an important resource for local agriculture
- Keeps food waste out of landfills, reducing methane emissions and supporting climate health
Support for Local Transfer Stations
Since 2019, Re:Source has processed all waste from Marion County’s transfer stations. The Re:Source facility also provides another outlet for contractors and the public to drop off waste, which can help ease transfer station lines and wait times.
The Impact
- Reusable materials are reclaimed instead of landfilled
- Keeps local waste moving efficiently
- Helps prevent transfer stations from reaching capacity
Community Education
Through Re:Source facility tours and community presentations, area residents and students learn how to reduce waste by reusing materials and properly sorting trash and recycling at home.
The Impact
- Helps prevent recycling contamination so more materials can be repurposed
- Inspires the next generation of waste-management leaders and innovators
Responsible waste management does more than get rid of a city’s trash. By building a system where resources are reclaimed and waste’s environmental impact is reduced, we can look out for our community with sustainable solutions that will have a positive impact for decades to come.
Categories: Material Recovery, Waste Management
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