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Recycling paused following Easter Sunday tornado

On May 13, 2025 demolition crews began disassembling the remains of the City of Columbia Solid Waste Utility’s Material Recovery Facility (MRF) that was destroyed by an Easter Sunday tornado.

An EF-1 tornado touched down in north Columbia on April 20 near the landfill property. Along with knocking down the MRF, the tornado took out electric transmission lines, leaving around 4,000 customers and the Solid Waste property without power.

Demolition of the facility is expected to be completed by the end of June. During the demolition, the building’s metal will be salvaged as much as possible. The salvaged metal will be sent to scrap yards in Columbia and St. Louis. Assessments of the usability of sorting machines continue to be made.

Despite the destruction, the City and the Solid Waste Utility view this as an opportunity to build the quality facility that the City wants and the community deserves.

At a June 2 pre-Council meeting, the Solid Waste Utility presented an updated report from RRT Design & Construction regarding plans to construct and refurbish a new Material Recovery Facility at the landfill property.

In the meantime, the Solid Waste Utility is evaluating opportunities that will allow the City to divert recyclable material from the landfill. Determining the best option for the rate payers will take careful consideration.

For the time being, residential customers can put their recyclable materials in their roll carts. Customers who don't have room in their carts or wish to remain in the habit of recycling, they can put their recyclable materials curbside as normal. However, until alternate diversion options are identified, all material will go to the landfill.