Protecting Yamhill County from Unnecessary Landfill Expansion
We are a community organization committed to responsible waste management, environmental protection, and sustainable alternatives that keep Yamhill County's farmland and waterways safe for future generations.
Our Mission
Founded by Yamhill County residents who believe that a vibrant agricultural region deserves better than a growing landfill on prime farmland.
Waste Not of Yamhill County challenges the assumption that waste disposal must always mean more landfill space. We believe in the hierarchy of waste management: reduce first, reuse second, recycle third — and bury only as a last resort, and never on land that could grow food or sustain wildlife.
Through legal action, community education, and policy advocacy, we have successfully challenged Waste Management Inc.'s efforts to expand the Riverbend Landfill onto agricultural land adjacent to the South Yamhill River. Our work has helped establish important precedents for protecting Oregon's farmland from incompatible industrial uses.
Community Advocacy Updates
Key milestones in our fight for responsible waste management in Yamhill County.
- July 2010
A Third Way Forward for Yamhill County Waste Management
Rather than simply opposing the landfill expansion, Waste Not of Yamhill County proposes a comprehensive alternative: aggressive waste reduction, expanded recycling, and industrial composting that can dramatically cut what goes to the landfill.
- January 2010
The Riverbend Landfill Should Never Be Expanded
Environmental, agricultural, and community arguments against allowing Waste Management to expand the Riverbend Landfill onto exclusive farm use land along the South Yamhill River.
- January 2009
Planning Commission Votes 7-0 Against Landfill Expansion
In a unanimous decision, the Yamhill County Planning Commission rejected Waste Management's application to expand the Riverbend Landfill, citing incompatibility with farmland protection laws and community concerns.
Pallet Reuse & Waste Reduction Resources
Wood pallets are one of the most overlooked and reusable materials in the waste stream. These guides help businesses and individuals make smarter use of pallets.
How Wide Are Pallets?
A complete guide to standard pallet widths — from the 40-inch US GMA pallet to European, Japanese, and industry-specific sizes.
Read guide →How to Take Apart a Pallet Easily
Three proven methods for disassembling wood pallets without destroying the lumber. Tools, safety tips, and step-by-step instructions.
Read guide →How Much Does a Pallet Weigh?
Understand pallet weight ranges by wood type, size, and construction — and how tare weight affects your freight costs.
Read guide →How Many Pallets Fit in a 53-Foot Trailer?
Maximize trailer capacity with the right loading patterns. From 26 pallets straight-loaded to 52+ with double-stacking.
Read guide →Why Yamhill County's Farmland Matters
Yamhill County is home to some of the most productive farmland in Oregon, including world-renowned Pinot Noir vineyards, hazelnut orchards, and diversified family farms that have operated for generations. The Willamette Valley's fertile soils and mild climate are irreplaceable agricultural assets that contribute billions to Oregon's economy.
Expanding a landfill onto exclusive farm use land near the South Yamhill River does not just threaten the immediate acreage — it threatens the watershed, the neighboring farms, and the long-term agricultural viability of the region. Once farmland is converted to industrial waste disposal, it rarely returns to productive agricultural use.
We believe that Yamhill County's economic future depends on preserving what makes it distinctive: clean water, fertile soil, and a rural character that supports both agriculture and a growing agritourism economy. That future is incompatible with an ever-expanding regional landfill.
Our position is simple: Before any new landfill capacity is added, Yamhill County must first maximize every available alternative — source reduction, recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy technologies — and demonstrate that those alternatives have been exhausted. We are not there yet. Not even close.