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Shawnee County solid waste director flags recycling uncertainty, outlines repairs and contracts
Summary
Bill Sutton, director of Shawnee County Solid Waste, told commissioners the department — entirely user-fee funded — is monitoring recycling market volatility, negotiating contracts with Waste Management and Greenpoint, and plans repairs at the household hazardous waste site while keeping rate increases unlikely this year.
Shawnee County commissioners received a March 31 update from Bill Sutton, director of Shawnee County Solid Waste, who said the department is entirely user-fee funded and faces uncertainty in recycling markets as it renegotiates major contracts.
Sutton told the Board of County Commissioners that "Shawnee County Solid Waste is 100% user fee funded, with no tax payer assistance," and described the department's three divisions: refuse, recycling and the household hazardous waste (HHW) program. He said the HHW site on Northeast 46th Street accepts electronic waste and up to five tires per resident per year and that those services are provided free to county residents.
The update matters because contract terms and commodity markets drive the department's costs and customer rates. Sutton said the county collected a little over $18.5 million in revenue in the prior year and is on track to exceed that figure this year. He said county refuse tonnage sent to Rolling Meadows Landfill has been rising year over year, while recycling tonnage has declined since the county began charging $3.50 for curbside recycling in mid‑2020.
Sutton gave specific budget and contract details. He said the current contract with Waste Management for landfill disposal is $38.33 per ton with an annual CPI adjustment and that the county and Waste Management are working to finalize a renegotiated agreement before June 13. He said the county paid roughly $225,000 to Waste Management for recycling processing last year and about $141,000 to Greenpoint for C&D processing. Sutton said his recycling contract is scheduled to end next February and that the person the county previously dealt with in WM recycling, Mr. Gutovich, is no longer with the company.
On operations, Sutton said customer growth required the county to add a trash route, increasing from 16 to 17 routes to reduce very long routes. He described a new smaller vehicle used to service missed stops and narrow locations and noted the HHW facility served just under 9,100 customers last year. Sutton also proposed phased repairs to the HHW site's concrete pads and traffic apron to address wear from increased use.
Sutton raised software and longer-term program issues. He said the county's RouteWare automated dispatch contract (in place since 2020) expires in December and that staff are researching newer, AI-enabled routing and collection systems to bring to the commissioners for review. He said composting remains on the department's long-range plan but is not expected in the next year because contract uncertainty and immediate capital needs take precedence.
When asked about future rates, Sutton said he expects to accommodate the 2025 budget without a rate increase but that 2026 conditions could trigger a modest increase — "probably around a dollar" — depending on final contract and commodity outcomes. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about recycling volumes, glass removal from the curbside stream and potential for a more centrally located HHW drop-off; Sutton said relocating HHW had been discussed historically but would require appropriate facilities and permitting and that the department has extended hours and added a monthly Saturday opening to improve access.
No formal actions or votes were taken during the presentation. Sutton said staff and county counsel are continuing contract negotiations and will return with specific proposals for commissioner consideration.
Sutton's presentation also included several operational highlights and figures: the county has seen steady trash tonnage growth to Rolling Meadows Landfill; cardboard has provided a positive commodity revenue stream (Sutton said cardboard yields roughly $5,000 per month); and disposal payments to vendors have increased year over year. He closed by asking for input on HHW facility repairs and confirming the department will provide commissioners with updates on contracts and any recommended rate changes.
The commissioners did not take formal action at the work session; Sutton and county counsel remain in negotiations with Waste Management and will report back to the board.
