Ulster County resource recovery agency warns of higher tipping fees, advances reuse-hub plans and leachate options

The Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency (UCRA) told the county Energy, Environment and Sustainability Committee on July 1 that lower-than-expected waste volumes through April will increase per‑ton tipping fees and that the agency is advancing a reuse “hub-and-spoke” plan and leachate-treatment options.

UCRA Director Ryder told the committee the agency recorded 41,048 tons of municipal solid waste and construction/demolition debris through April. Multiplied out (acknowledging seasonal variation), that pace would produce roughly 123,000–124,000 tons for the year versus the agency’s 142,000‑ton planning target, and the agency expects to lower its tonnage target when it finalizes next year’s budget. Ryder warned that spreading fixed expenses over fewer tons will “raise the tipping fee slightly.”

The numbers matter locally because Ryder said UCRA currently budgets most operations from tipping fees. She told members that contract increases for disposal and transport appear in recent bids at roughly 5% and that collective bargaining agreements expiring this year will add pressure on costs. The agency’s stated “functional” tipping fee for MSW and C&D is roughly $143 per…