Metro And Lane County Celebrate Battery Recycling Law - 03/11/26

PORTLAND, Ore. and EUGENE, Ore. – The Oregon State Legislature passed a new recycling law to help protect people and the environment from the impacts of batteries. House Bill 4144 joins several existing extended producer responsibility laws in Oregon, which require companies to implement recycling or safe disposal solutions for the products they make and sell. 

After the new law takes effect, battery manufacturers will be responsible for funding and managing a statewide battery recycling program that will launch in 2029. The program must include battery recycling drop-off locations that are accessible to people across Oregon.

The law will also prohibit batteries from being discarded in the trash. This is an important element of the law that aims to prevent fires from breaking out in garbage trucks and at waste facilities. Certain types of batteries cause frequent fires, which puts garbage and recycling workers in danger and results in costly damage.

“Metro is proud to have helped lead an effort that resulted in such an unprecedented level of cooperation across local governments, waste companies and environmental organizations,” said Metro Councilor Duncan Hwang. “Battery-related fires are not endemic to a single community, city or region. And they don’t discriminate between the public and private sector. They put all of us in very real danger and threaten irreparable damage to the environment, which is what brought so many different groups together to address this critical issue on a statewide level.”

Metro and Lane County regularly contend with battery-related fires at waste facilities. In 2025 alone, Metro’s two transfer stations experienced a combined total of 61 fires, 58 of which were caused by batteries that had been mixed in with loads of garbage. Lane County saw 56 battery-related fires at Short Mountain Landfill that same year.

In response to the steady occurrence of battery-related fires, Metro and Lane County worked together to advocate for the statewide battery recycling law. The two local governments co-led the effort to develop the legislation with the strong support of Oregon State Representative Emerson Levy (HD–53) and in close partnership with the Association of Oregon Recyclers and Oregon Refuse & Recycling Association. Several environmental organizations and other local governments also voiced support.

“It has been refreshing to work with so many partners who hold the same values around safety and responsibility when it comes to battery disposal,” said Lane County Waste Reduction Manager Angie Marzano. “This legislation is poised to create a system that safeguards people who work in the solid waste industry, customers, and the environment from the dangers posed by improper battery disposal.”

While the new statewide battery recycling program will not take effect until 2029, people across Oregon can take steps now to make sure that batteries are discarded safely:

For people living in greater Portland:

• Bring batteries – and anything with a rechargeable battery that cannot be removed easily – to a Metro household hazardous waste facility for free and safe disposal. People can also check with their local hauler to see if they have battery collection options at home.

• Use Metro’s Find a Recycler search tool to locate a battery disposal drop-off location.   
• For additional questions, visit oregonmetro.gov/AskMetro or call 503-234-3000 to speak directly with Metro staff. Staff are available to answer questions in English and Spanish from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with additional languages available upon request.

For people living in Lane County: 

• Batteries – including regular alkaline, button, rechargeable alkaline, ni-Cad, lithium, and silver oxide – can be recycled at Lane County transfer stations, Bi-Mart, True Value in Eugene and Florence, and most battery and electronics stores.
• Visit Lane County’s Waste Wise App search tool for recycling locations and guidance on how to responsibly dispose of a variety of materials.

About Metro
Metro serves more than 1.7 million people in the greater Portland area. In addition to managing the Oregon Convention Center, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, Portland Expo Center and Oregon Zoo, Metro also manages the region’s garbage and recycling system, protects clean water and air at more than 19,000 acres of parks and natural areas, oversees long-range planning across 24 cities and 3 counties, and is supporting construction of more than 5,300 affordable homes region-wide with more on the way.

About Waste Wise Lane County

Waste Wise Lane County—a part of the Lane County Government’s Waste Management Division—empowers residents, schools, and businesses with education, tools, and resources that can be used to reduce waste, conserve resources, and live more sustainably. For more information, visit lanecountyor.gov/wastewise.

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Lane County To Assume Youth Mobile Crisis And Stabilization Services - 03/09/26

Due to continued and worsening budget constraints, Lane County Behavioral Health (LCBH) will assume youth mobile crisis and stabilization services previously provided by Riverview Center for Growth effective April 30. By absorbing these services into the already existing Mobile Crisis Services of Lane County program, LCBH can insure Lane County youth and families will continue to have access to life-saving crisis and stabilization services 7 days a week.

“We thank Riverview for their invaluable service to the youth and families of Lane County,” said Lane County Health & Human Services Director, Eve Gray. “We make this move due to the dwindling availability of adequate funding and while it is born out of necessity, we are confident the specific expertise in youth crisis services our LCBH providers and responders have will allow for uninterrupted service to our community.”

LCBH has been providing mental health services to children and adolescents for over 50 years with a full staff of providers who specialize in this age group. The Child & Adolescent program at LCBH is one of 4 core programs and is comprised of 14 staff and serves roughly 400 clients. Additionally, thanks to the advent of LCBH’s Mobile Crisis Services of Lane County, the primary provider of mobile adult crisis services in Lane County outside of Western Lane, LCBH has responders specifically trained to serve youth through mobile crisis response.

The current youth volume averages to about 6-8 calls per day and 3 in-person calls for crisis response. Lane County and Riverview are currently engaged in a transition plan which will see LCBH having 7 days a week coverage from 6 am to 11 pm by the beginning of April. Responders for the overnight shift have already been hired and once two additional positions are secured, the program will be able to operate 24/7.

Once the current contract expires with Riverview, they will continue to provide mental health services outside of mobile crisis services.

“We are deeply proud of the life-saving work our crisis team has provided to youth and families in Lane County for more than 20 years,” said Meghan Melton, Executive Director at Riverview Center for Growth. “While this transition marks the end of our Youth Mobile Crisis contract, Riverview remains fully operational and committed to serving our community through our broader continuum of programs and services.”

LCBH is a division of Lane County Health & Human services and encompasses a broad array of services and programs, including: Lane County Behavioral Health Clinic, Lane County Treatment Services, and LaneCare. LCBH provides outpatient behavioral health services including therapy, case management, medication management, and peer support to adults, children, and families residing in Lane County.

Armitage Dog Park To Temporarily Close For Levy-funded Improvements - 03/06/26

The dog park at Armitage Park will temporarily close beginning the week of March 9 for construction related to improvements funded by the 2022 Lane County Parks Levy.

The project will improve safety and accessibility at the park, including construction of a separate RV entrance so large vehicles no longer pass through the dog park area. Additional upgrades include two covered pavilions, ADA-accessible pathways, lighting, parking lot paving, and improved vehicle circulation.

Construction is expected to last approximately two months, with the dog park anticipated to reopen by the end of May. Updates will be posted on the Lane County Parks Levy Projects page.

During the closure, nearby dog parks include:

• Alton Baker Dog Park
• Amazon Dog Park
• Candlelight Park
• Lone Oak Park
• Jefferson Park
• Morse Ranch Park
• Willamalane Lively Dog Park
• Washington Jefferson Dog Park

Lane County Parks appreciates the community’s patience during construction and looks forward to reopening an improved dog park later this spring.

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Lane County Health & Human Services Selects Brian K. Johnson As New Public Health Manager - 02/23/26

Lane County has hired long-time public health leader and current deputy public health manager, Brian K. Johnson, as thePublic Health division manager. Johnson’s first day as manager will be March 5 and he will report to Kachina Inman, Lane County Health & Human Services Assistant Director. 

In his new role, Johnson will oversee strategic direction for LCPH, foster and maintain community, state, and national partnerships, as well as oversee the many public health programs which serve Lane County. 

"Brian brings over 28 years of public health experience and we are confident in his ability to leverage that experience to lead LCPH in improving the health of the many communities of Lane County,” said Lane County Health & Human Services Director, Eve Gray. “His strategic vision, track record in steady, inclusive leadership and sheer passion for improving lives make him a natural choice to lead LCPH at this pivotal time."

"I look forward to continuing to lead the important work of public health in Lane County. It is a privilege to work closely with so many talented, passionate people working together to make this a place somewhere all have what they need to thrive ,"said Johnson.

A 28-plus-year veteran public health professional and researcher, Johnson has a reputation for his calm leadership under pressure, analytic approach, systems thinking, and ability to build effective teams.

Previously, as deputy manager, Johnson managed a $32 million budget and 8 supervisors responsible for 76 employees. Before becoming the LCPH Deputy Manager, Johnson served as the Lane County Environmental Health and Preparedness Supervisor. Over the course of his 21 years at LCPH, Johnsonhas been instrumental in helping manage everything from systems transformation to the Lane County COVID-19 response, as well as responses to multiple other natural disasters and disease outbreaks. 

Johnson holds a Masters of Public Health in Health Promotion from Oregon State University, a Public Health Management Certificate from the University of Washington, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Whitman College.

Lane County Public Health is a division of Lane County Health & Human Services. LCPH’S mission is to promote and protect the long-term health and well-being of individuals, families and the communities of Lane County. Their vision is optimal health for all people in Lane County.

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