Clarke County Landfill’s future is questionable
From a ditch to a mandated landfill, Clarke County trash disposal has experienced many changes and more rules. Now, the county landfill is down to its last cell and the future of the landfill has become questionable.
A state law was passed by the Iowa State Legislature in 1970 requiring all cities and counties to have a landfill. Before that, trash was dumped in a designated ditch in the county and wasn’t really regulated.
“As with most towns and small cities, people took their garbage to a ditch or site where waste was dumped,” said Don Reasoner, chairperson of Clarke County Landfill Commission. “Back then, most people burnt papers, no plastic, and glass was recycled.”
Reasoner said the IDNR increased regulations and rules, causing prices to also increase and the landfill commission wondering if Clarke County will have a landfill.
“Presently, more stringent rules by the IDNR and Federal Environmental Protection Agency have put the Clarke County Landfill Commission in a position to question the future of the present landfill,” said Reasoner.
As a result of added regulations, the landfill’s last cell cost the county an estimated $250,000, which raised the tipping fee from $37 to $45.
One new rule requires landfills to take more precautions when lining cells before dumping trash. Before, the landfill was only required to line the bottom and could use whole tires. Now, landfills must line the entire cell using plastic, clay, piping and tire chips.
IDNR requires that Freon, an odorless, colorless, nonflammable chemical, is taken out of appliances. Reasoner said in order to do this, the landfill brings in a special company to de-manufacture the items.
Reasoner said the rules come at a time when the type of waste is changing and increasing.
The landfill now deals with “E-waste,” which includes items such as computers and televisions.
Currently the landfill can accept this waste, but future regulations will require it to be handled separately.
Reasoner said the landfill is required to check for methane levels and gas content in “E-waste” which is not cheap.
Every month, the landfill takes in about 900 tons of trash.
Even after closing the landfill, the county is required to monitor the land for 30 years, which also costs more money.
But there is some light at the end of the tunnel.
IDNR gave permission for the landfill to cover just the bottom of the last cell with plastic, clay and tire chips and not the entire cell as requirements now mandate.
IDNR also gave permission to raise the current level of the landfill 10 ft. higher.
Reasoner said this leniency means the landfill will be in operation until the end of 2010.
