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Local haulers say Covanta shutdown will shift volumes to Coffin Butte; medical waste handling and tipping fee impacts expected
Summary
Local waste-hauler representatives told Keizer's City Council they expect to redirect trash loads after the reported year-end shutdown of the Covanta incinerator and warned medical-waste customers may face higher costs as processing shifts to other providers.
Representatives of Keizer-area waste haulers updated the council on regional disposal changes tied to the reported impending shutdown of the Covanta incinerator. Sean Edmonds and Ryan Willis told the council that, based on information from Marion County and regional partners, the Covanta facility was expected to close at the end of the calendar year.
Haulers said they have made contingency plans: trucks and personnel are being positioned to route diverted volumes to local transfer stations and Coffin Butte landfill, and partners (including Wheat Transportation and Republic Services) have prepared to take additional tons. The haulers said they expect a short period of operational adjustment and possible brief shutdown activity at Covanta for final operations.
Staff and haulers discussed potential tipping fee effects. Haulers reported that Marion County is conducting internal discussions on tipping-fee adjustments but, at the time of the meeting, no change to Keizer's contracted rates for municipal service was planned for the next year. Haulers said medical waste will be affected: pathological waste that previously burned at the incinerator will need alternative treatment; a local firm, BioClean, can process much of the non-pathological medical waste using sanitation technology, but costs for medical waste disposal are expected to rise significantly for customers because incineration is currently cheaper. Councilors asked staff to track the county conversations and any changes to fees.
Haulers also discussed recycling modernization work required under state legislation and said local depots may be expanded; staff said the city will work with partners and the DEQ process.
Ending: Staff will continue to monitor diversion plans, county fee discussions and communicate changes to customers if tipping fees or medical waste processing costs change.
