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Camden County to publish higher landfill gate rates; out‑of‑county sludge fee rises to deter imports
Summary
The Solid Waste Authority and county commissioners voted to publish new gate rates and tipping fees effective July 1, 2025; changes aim to simplify rate schedule, raise some fees including out‑of‑county sludge, and limit imported sludge volume.
Camden County’s Solid Waste Authority voted to publish a simplified set of landfill gate rates and tipping fees, and the full Board of Commissioners approved the change during the same meeting. The new published rates take effect July 1, 2025, at the start of the county’s fiscal year.
The county consultant, Robert from Atlantic Coast Consulting, told the authority that the prior rate structure had 31 separate rates for the municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill and 29 for the construction and demolition (C&D) side; the proposal reduces those to 10 MSW rates and two C&D rates (in‑county and out‑of‑county). Robert briefed commissioners on cost categories — operations, capital projects and closure/post‑closure care required by the landfill permit — and on how those costs were allocated to produce per‑ton rates.
Examples and revenue context: The consultant and county staff gave sample rate changes. C&D in‑county proposed gate rate rises from $16.55 to $18.21 per ton; out‑of‑county C&D would rise from $23.21 to $25.04 per ton. The county also proposed raising the out‑of‑county sludge rate to $100 per ton (previously $65), to reduce incoming sludge volumes. County staff said sludge brought roughly $218,000 in 2023 and $438,000 in 2024; year‑to‑date 2025 sludge receipts were $213,000 at the time of the meeting.
The consultant emphasized maintaining low or unchanged fees for passenger and semi‑truck tires to encourage legal disposal rather than illegal dumping. The consultant also noted regulatory limits: the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) guidance limits sludge to no more than 10% of landfill intake; staff said the county has taken steps such as limiting some out‑of‑county sludge sources and expects the rate increase to further reduce volume.
Why it matters: County staff said the changes are designed to ensure the landfill collects sufficient revenue for operations, capital and the 30‑year post‑closure monitoring required by its permit. The rates apply to customers without existing contracts; accounts with negotiated rates (for example, municipal contracts or other long‑term agreements) are not altered by the published rates.
Action taken: The Solid Waste Authority voted to publish the new gate rates and tipping fees; the Board of Commissioners later approved the same gate rates during the regular meeting. The transcript records “first and second” motions and that “all in favor” carried the motions; no roll‑call tallies were recorded in the public minutes.
Next steps and limitations: The new published rates start July 1, 2025. Contracts already in place with cities and haulers remain under their negotiated terms. County staff said they will continue to prioritize in‑county needs and manage sludge intake in line with EPD guidance.
