EUGENE, Ore. —  The CleanLane Resource Recovery Facility is expected to extend the lifespan of the city’s landfill by nearly a generation. Jeff Orlandini, Lane County’s waste management division manager, gave an informational presentation on the new CleanLane facility to the city’s Sustainability Commission on Jan. 15. 

Lane County is organizing to build CleanLane, an anaerobic digestion system, at the Short Mountain Landfill. Anaerobic digestion is a process in which microorganisms break down organic waste without oxygen, producing biofertilizer and a renewable energy source. This system sorts mixed recycling and garbage and creates renewable natural gas from organic waste. 

“The county was really concerned with the waste and with getting our recovery rate to that 63%,” said Orlandini. “We're about 53% right now, which is the highest in the state.” 

The facility will capture over 90% of the gas produced, which is a significant increase from the current 70% capture rate. It is also expected to lower greenhouse gas emissions and produce renewable natural gas that could eventually power the Lane Transit District buses. 

According to Lane County Waste Management, the project is estimated to cost $150 million and is funded through a public-private partnership. A local company, Bulk Handling Systems, is covering 70% of the expenses for the CleanLane facility. The company is responsible for installing and constructing the equipment for the new facility. Lane County Waste Management said Lane County will pay for the remaining 30% through a limited-tax bond that was issued in the fall of 2024, and the bond is expected to be repaid over time using revenue using tipping fees that are collected from waste haulers. 

 In the previous Lane County Board of Commissioners meeting in August 2024, Heather Buch, the District 5 East Lane Commissioner, was concerned over the rates and what people will have to pay in the future. 

Waste Management estimated residential garbage rates would rise between $0.50 to $0.60 per month each year for four years, amounting to a total increase of about $2 per month by the end of the period. 

After the presentation, there were concerns discussed between the Sustainability Commissioners, Devon Mann, Mitra Gruwell, Eliza Kashinsky, Luara Allen, Jan Bohman, John Fischer, Courtney Griesel, Tom Kreider, Alexi Miller, Dennis Reynolds, Lily Yao, Chris Yorges, Ian Penn and Danielle Klinkebiel. 

Many commissioners had concerns over whether Orlandini and Waste Management were asking the important questions because, throughout his presentation, he could not answer the commissioners' questions. “We are entering the county into a legal agreement on an investment of a site that ultimately, the taxpayers will owe,” said Commissioner Courtney Griesel. “And if they're not asking that question, then who does?”

Commissioner Jan Bohman asked the question, “What is the appropriate role of the city of Eugene?” The commission agreed that the city’s primary responsibility should be educating the community on the anaerobic digestion system, the importance of organics recovery and the difference between compostable and non-compostable waste.

The construction of the CleanLane Resource Recovery facility is scheduled to begin this year, with operations to start in 2026. 

The Sustainability Commission will meet again on Feb. 19 and discuss the Urban Forestry Management Plan.