What to do with yard waste and other household debris

September 2024 

Everywhere you look online there are conversations about decluttering, cleaning up your property and removing the junk. 

But sometimes it’s a little tricky to know just where to dispose of each thing. Today we’re talking about what to do with some of those things – yard waste and other household debris.

The first part is easy – yes, as summer (sadly) comes to a close, it’s important to clean up from any home improvement projects and also do the trimming and yard work necessary to not only make your yard look attractive, but also to get trees, bushes and other growing things away from your house for its health and safety and yours.

The good news is that there are several places locally to dispose of that kind of stuff! LeMay Transfer Station near Montesano, Stafford Creek Landfill, Habitat for Humanity and a new place in Ocean Shores will take some of it as well.

Take your stuff to LeMay Transfer Station

As you sort and cleanup, don’t forget that recyclables are free to dispose of at the Recycling Center inside the LeMay Transfer Station, 29 Gavett Lane North, just west of Montesano.

Items accepted include glass bottles (no plate glass windows, etc.), steel cans, tin, aluminum (no scrap metal or paint cans), flattened cardboard, milk jugs, newspapers and mixed paper.

In addition, the Moderate Risk Waste Site, located as you come into the Lemay Transfer Station, is free to use but has very limited hours. It is open the first Saturday of the month and every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Businesses must call to make an appointment for drop off. Call the county for more information at (360) 538-7080.) 

Examples of Moderate Risk items include oil-based paints, paint thinner, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizer, antifreeze, solvents, oven cleaner, batteries, and pool chemicals

The E-cycle area is also free to use. It is where you can take your computer monitors, screens, towers, televisions, etc. It is available at all times for drop off, but if you require assistance, come on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Check out the Lemay website at graysharbor.lemayinc.com, or give them a call at (360) 533-1251 for more specifics.

Stafford Creek takes construction debris and yard waste

The Stafford Creek Landfill is an option for yard or construction waste. Located near the Stafford Creek Prison off of State Route 105 on the way to Westport, the Stafford Creek Landfill is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

This facility is a wood-based landfill, where you pay to get rid of heavy yard waste, composition roofing, demolition materials including lumber, concrete and asphalt, dirt, or shake roofing, trees and stumps. The price, which is based on volume-per cubic yard (3 feet by 3 feet by 3 feet) varies depending on what’s in your load. To give you an idea, most pickup beds range from 1 to 3 cubic yards.

For instance, it costs $17 a cubic yard to dispose of dirt, $31.50 to dispose of shake roofing, $40 to throw away concrete and asphalt and $26.25 a yard to dump yard waste and brush. (Everything is paid for on a one-yard minimum.) 

No raw garbage, sheetrock, insulation, metal, plastic. railroad ties or creosote-soaked wood is accepted here. We recommend you call ahead for rules and current pricing for what you are disposing – (360) 533-8361.

Ocean Shores Green Waste Composting

The folks of Ocean Shores are excited about the new Ocean Shores Green Waste Compost facility. We have good news and bad news about it. The good news is that it was a hit this year and will reopen next spring. The bad news is that it closed Aug. 31 for the fall and winter.  

So, Ocean Shores residents should mark their spring calendars to visit this facility, located at 149 Canal Dr. S.E., which is likely to reopen in April – to dispose of yard waste. For more information, call the Ocean Shores Street Department at (360) 289-2824.

Habitat takes useable construction materials

Habitat for Humanity is a wonderful organization that prioritizes helping people own an affordable home. (That’s right up our alley!)

Their store, Re-Store, at 3005 Simpson Ave. in Hoquiam, takes some items that most thrift stores won’t take – useable building materials.

It’s a great place to take your extra/leftover boxes of tiles, flooring, sinks, lumber, good doors and much more – things that might be very useful to someone else. Call ahead at (360) 612-3350 if you have questions or check out the list at their website graysharborhabitat.com and click on the donate button.

Habitat for Humanity even takes some furniture and household items. While their store hours are more extensive, donations are accepted from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.  

Pat Beaty will be missed

Our dear friend and co-worker, Pat Beaty, who expertly oversaw the construction projects and managed IT operations at NeighborWorks of Grays Harbor for many years, died suddenly July 30. He was 65.

An employee since 1995 and co-writer of this column for 25 years, Pat devoted his life to his family and community, including through his work at NeighborWorks. Our hearts are heavy, and the absence of our colleague and friend is deeply felt. Dave Murnen, former executive director, has stepped in for the time being to help complete the projects that Pat was currently working on, but there will be a temporary gap in the construction management services offered here at NeighborWorks. The gap we feel at the office will be far from temporary and we offer our condolences to Pat’s family. 

Eric Bjella is the executive director of NeighborWorks of Grays Harbor; a nonprofit organization committed to creating safe and affordable housing opportunities for all residents of Grays Harbor County. For questions about home repair, housing counseling, homebuyer education and financing, call 360-533-7828, listen to the extension picks that will best help you and leave a callback name and number.