Landfill operations and waste-to-energy exploration
Summary
Tonnage is up 35% since the solid waste fee change, pushing the landfill toward its 800-ton daily permit cap — hitting that number means closing the gate. The county hopes new rates protect margins while keeping tonnage flowing.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 8
- Last 30 days
- 0
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 8, 2026.
Impact analysis
New rates effective October 1 aim to improve landfill margins as tonnage climbs past last year's 78,000 tons.
The county's solid waste fund and haulers using the landfill.
Truckers who could be turned away at the gate on heavy days.
Mentions & discussions (7)
Public Works Committee — October 8, 2026
Landfill tonnage is running at its third-highest level ever, costing the general fund $1–2 million a year in offsets. Officials are talking with Viral Power Renewables about waste-to-energy and weighing a $300,000 cardboard baler — a topic that drew public opposition.
Public Works Committee — September 10, 2026
The landfill saw its highest June, July and August ever, up 12% over last year. Cardboard is fetching $70/ton and the committee may weigh replacing an aging compactor (~$300,000) versus a $50,000 repair next month.
Public Works Committee — July 16, 2026
Public commenters disputed a claimed 400 jobs from a proposed incinerator, citing about 50 permanent jobs and 105 at the nation's largest facility, and criticized remarks about incinerator ash. Sustainable Sullivan is preparing an alternative waste-management proposal to share with the committee.
Economic Development Committee — July 9, 2026
A resident criticized ongoing county interest in a waste incinerator, calling it a 'super polluter' that contradicts efforts to attract residents and visitors. The chair kept the topic brief as a public works matter.
Public Works Committee — June 11, 2026
Tonnage is up 35% since the solid waste fee change, pushing the landfill toward its 800-ton daily permit cap — hitting that number means closing the gate. The county hopes new rates protect margins while keeping tonnage flowing.
Executive Committee — May 21, 2026
Star Hesse renewed warnings against a proposed garbage incinerator in Sullivan County, distributing materials on waste-reduction alternatives she says have worked elsewhere.
Public Works Committee — May 14, 2026
A pediatrician's letter read into the record warns that a proposed waste-to-energy incinerator would release PFAS, dioxins, and mercury near disadvantaged communities like Liberty and Monticello, and cites ReWorld's history of environmental fines. Residents urged reuse and composting alternatives instead.
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