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County staff outline costs, options for green‑waste disposal; no fee relief approved
Summary
Public works staff told supervisors green‑waste disposal at county transfer stations carries substantial costs and that there is no market for many materials; the board directed staff to continue exploring regional processing, chipping, and grant options but did not approve free disposal.
Plumas County public works staff briefed supervisors on the practical and fiscal limits of free green‑waste disposal and described ongoing work to seek lower‑cost processing options and regional partnerships.
Staff explained that most green waste—particularly pine needles and mixed yard debris—has limited commercial markets and that transfer, handling, equipment and labor impose costs. Public works provided recent season numbers: roughly $36,000 in labor for crew time and about $22,000 in equipment charges (figure cited for a season at Chester), and said that $5 per cubic yard fees historically charged at some sites have not fully covered costs. Staff said they would propose increasing the Chester fee to about $6.50 (and noted $7.50 was also discussed by some participants) to approach break‑even, and that the county is evaluating regional options including an air‑curtain burner, chipping/grinding operations, and a possible nonprofit operating model for a regional processing facility.
Several members of the public and county staff discussed the limits of chipping for certain materials (pine needles and fine debris), the cost and maintenance of industrial grinders, and the logistical tradeoffs of accepting mixed green waste. Public works noted prior attempts to chip material and that potential buyers have rejected mixed feeds; staff are separating pine needles from woody material at some sites to improve the product for potential processors.
Ending: Supervisors directed staff to continue evaluating alternatives, explore grant funding and regional approaches, and return with recommended options and any fee adjustments.
