Riverbend Landfill, Recycling Center and Green Energy Plant
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Riverbend is a regional facility that provides professional and safe disposal and convenient recycling services for Yamhill County and neighboring communities. Riverbend is also a platform for green technology, with a Green Energy Plant that uses landfill gas to generate renewable electricity for 2,500 local homes. Riverbend is a modern, Subtitle D landfill that accepts primarily municipal solid waste (MSW or household waste), industrial waste, and construction and demolition debris; it does not accept hazardous waste. The landfill is engineered with overlapping environmental protection systems that meet or exceed rigorous state and federal regulations and are subject to highly regulated monitoring and reporting requirements. Riverbend uses sophisticated monitoring protocols to verify that its environmental protection systems are operating properly. Monitoring data gathered by company and independent professionals is submitted to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Acceptable Material (Riverbend Landfill)
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(C&D) Debris |
Unacceptable Material (Riverbend Landfill)
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For information about Hazardous Waste Disposal Click here.
If you have questions or need more information, please e-mail us at landfill@wmnorthwest.com.
Containment Design
Riverbend's double liner, geo-membrane system protects soil and groundwater by containing and isolating waste and landfill wastewater.
Groundwater Monitoring
Groundwater is monitored to ensure that our environmental protection systems are functioning properly and not impacting groundwater at or near the facility. Groundwater quality is monitored in 28 wells. Groundwater levels are monitored in an additional 26 wells to understand groundwater flow conditions.
Landfill Gas Management
Riverbend collects and manages landfill gas to generate renewable energy, reduce emissions, and prevent odor. The system collects landfill gas through vertical and horizontal pipes within the landfill. It collects approximately 3,000 cubic feet per minute of landfill gas.
Leachate Collection & Treatment
Riverbend manages landfill wastewater (leachate) to ensure it does not impact groundwater. Leachate is collected by three separate sumps equipped with level monitors to operate pumps and maintain appropriate liquid levels. To manage leachate after collection, this site uses an innovative system that includes irrigation onto our poplar tree farm, natural evaporation in a lined storage pond, and off-site management at a wastewater treatment plant.
Riverbend Recycling Center
Riverbend partners with Yamhill County to divert waste from the landfill and save energy by recycling used materials. Looking ahead, Riverbend is relocating and expanding the public recycling center to make recycling even easier, with a full-time employee to answer questions, a convenient design, paved surfaces, new signage, and more space to accept a broader range of materials.
Riverbend Green Energy Plant
Riverbend uses everyday waste to generate electrical power in partnership with McMinnville Water and Light. Landfill gas fuels six engines that generate approximately 4.5 MW of electricity. The new plant is a first for Yamhill County and another demonstration of Waste Management's commitment to renewable energy and innovative technologies that extract value from waste.
Approval Process
Waste Management has a waste screening protocol for each of its non-hazardous waste facilities to protect our employees and the environment. For all industrial and special waste streams, the generator or agent must complete a Generator's Non-Hazardous Waste Profile (available at wmsolutions.com) for review by our staff.
Environmental Leadership and Awards
Riverbend is the proud recipient of prestigious honors including "Business of the Year" from the McMinnville Chamber of Commerce, "Excellence in Engineering" from the American Academy of Environmental Engineers, and certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council.
Certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council recognizes our successful biodiversity initiatives and community education efforts. To enhance biodiversity, we manage a nesting program for bluebirds, wood ducks, osprey, bats and Mason bees. To educate the community about biodiversity as well as the science and engineering involved in professional landfill management, Riverbend regularly hosts tours for students, community groups, and international delegations of naturalists and scientists.
Community Partnerships
Riverbend is proud to be an active supporter of community and school programs that make Yamhill County a strong and healthy place to live, work and play.
This facility also supports the following events, charities, schools and service groups:
Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce
Linfield College Partners in Progress
McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce
McMinnville Education Foundation
McMinnville Economic Development Partnership
Newberg Downtown Association
Rotary
St. James School
Virginia Garcia Memorial Foundation
Willamette Valley Cancer Foundation
Yamhill Community Action Partnership
Yamhill County Fair