County landfill revenue and recycling tonnage fall; leaders schedule DEC briefing on waste-to-energy

Solid waste staff told the legislature that recycling markets and lower tonnage are reducing revenue and that the county is pursuing regional conversations about alternatives.

"The auction that we had in October brought $160,000 in sales," Monk (Speaker 11), who oversees solid waste operations, said. He reported single-stream recycling prices had dropped to about $68 per ton in October and cardboard prices were flat around $75 per ton.

Monk said overall tonnage is down roughly 17% January through October — about 14,000 fewer tons than last year — which the county estimates reduced revenue by about $350,000 compared with prior levels. "Our revenue is only down by $350,000," he said, adding the accounts-receivable program has held AR near $300,000 through collection efforts and bonding practices.

Monk said the county submitted a grant application for a recycling coordinator position (to cover "Cassie's salary") and is negotiating contracts with MBI and Casella through the purchasing department. He said the county arranged a DEC meeting on Dec. 2 to discuss landfill alternatives and scheduled a webinar with representatives from Copenhill, a waste-to-energy facility in Denmark, to review that facility's experience.

Monk encouraged the solid waste committee to review user fees and pricing for 2026 while contracts are negotiated.

What’s next: county staff will continue contract negotiations, pursue the recycling coordinator grant, and participate in the DEC regional meeting.