About Solid Waste Services

.Preserve the earth's resources:  Think before you dump!!

Lewis County Solid Waste Services' mission is for the efficient management of solid waste and public education on recycling, composting and hazardous materials. Solid Waste Services is divided into five sections: Administration, Operations, Recycling, Hazardous Waste, and the Litter Program. Solid Waste Services strives to provide efficient disposal and recycling services to the residents and businesses of Lewis County.

The Solid Waste Services Manager is Steve Skinner. Steve has been with Solid Waste Services since 1994. He began as the Operations Supervisor and spent 16 years overseeing the operations of the Central Transfer Station, and East Lewis County Transfer Station. He has worked hard to keep the operations running smoothly, as the amount of garbage handled by the two transfer stations has grown from 42,000 tons in 1997 to 70,000 tons in 2008. In 2009, he became the manager and oversees all aspects of Solid Waste Services.

A record amount of 78,831 tons of garbage was collected in 2007, the year of a devastating flood in Lewis County. Garbage from Lewis County is transported to the Roosevelt Landfill in Klickitat County, WA in 48 ft boxes, by train, from the inter modal yard located in Centralia WA. Allied Waste Services is our contract hauler from the transfer stations to the inter modal yard.

Solid Waste Services Administration handles the important financial and record keeping required for the department. Solid Waste Services has a full time accountant to oversee accounts, track income and expenditures, oversee grants, and prepare and file financial reports.The senior office administrator is responsible for a wide range of duties as well as answering questions from the public.

The Recycling Section promotes recycling and organics management. The recycling specialists provide education and promote the county's curbside recycling program, as well as recycling opportunities at the transfer stations. The specialists oversee the collection and recycling of organics including yard waste, wood waste and construction debris. Rural yard waste collection events help reduce outdoor burning of this material. The Master Recycler/Composter program for Lewis County is also overseen by the specialists. For more information on recycling/composting programs please see the Recycling or Composting Page.To learn more recycling facts and why we should recycle, visit www.headwatersrecycle.com/why.html

The Hazardous Waste Section has been in existence since the early 1990's.The initial purpose of the hazardous waste program was to start a used oil collection drop off system in the County.Special collection events were also held to allow homeowners to turn in unwanted hazardous materials. In March 1997 a permanent collection building, known as the Material Recovery Center, was opened at the Central Transfer Station. Today, the hazardous waste program operates nine used oil collection sites and is responsible for education, collection and safe disposal of hazardous materials. For more information visit the Household Hazardous Waste page.