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Summit County progressing on landfill cell and expands food‑waste and chipping programs
Summary
Public works staff reported progress on a new landfill cell liner and described expanded diversion efforts, including a contractor chipping program and a countywide food‑waste collection pilot backed by the Park City Community Foundation.
Summit County public works staff reported construction progress on a new landfill cell and outlined a suite of solid‑waste diversion measures intended to extend landfill life and reduce disposal costs.
Cell construction and capacity: contractors have installed a high‑density polyethylene liner for the county’s next cell; public works staff said liner placement is on schedule and that the county expects field cover and final grading to be completed in the current construction window. Based on current disposal volumes and without additional major diversion, staff estimated the county’s landfill capacity could last roughly 15–17 years; staff noted that increases in diversion or the use of alternative daily cover would extend that horizon.
Chipping and green‑waste handling: the county has signed a contract for on‑site chipping with an outside contractor (Diamond Tree, Salt Lake), who will process tree trunks and large branches at the county facility and transport mulch for resale. Staff said the program is designed to be revenue‑neutral relative to previous disposal costs and to divert roughly 1,600–1,800 tons of green waste annually from landfill air space.
Food‑waste pilot and partners: Summit County and the Park City Community Foundation are partnering on a food‑waste collection pilot. The foundation provided matching grants to subsidize household enrollment; staff reported about 1,400 households are now enrolled in the countywide program, with roughly 190 new households added since the expansion began. Staff said the program is one of the highest‑impact diversions because food waste accounts for a relatively small share of tonnage but a large share of landfill volume. County staff said that commercial‑sector participation and larger on‑site digesters remain a future focus.
Remote drop‑off pilot and master‑plan refresh: staff proposed a pilot network of remote collection sites for recyclables and glass in 2026 and described plans to refresh the county’s 2018 solid‑waste master plan. The update will prioritize implementation pathways, assign responsibilities, and include a short timeline and metrics so progress can be monitored.
Costs and next steps: staff said the foundation’s matching grant plus a county contribution allowed residential participation to be subsidized through the end of the year; staff estimated the unsubsidized cost would be in the neighborhood of $18–$20 per household per month. The council asked staff to include the food‑waste subsidy and remote‑drop pilot in upcoming budget discussions.
