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MassDEP solid-waste data update: disposal up modestly; net exports rise as in‑state capacity shifts
Summary
In its 2023 data briefing, MassDEP reported a roughly 3% year-over-year increase in total solid‑waste disposal and an approximate 9% rise since 2018 (about 500,000 tons), driven largely by increased exports to other states after in‑state landfill closures; capacity scenarios show meeting the 2030 disposal-reduction goal would require sustained ~6% annual reductions.
John Fisher presented MassDEP’s 2023 solid-waste disposal update to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, describing disposal trends, import/export flows and capacity projections.
Fisher said the 2023 data show a small increase in total disposal (about 3% vs. 2022), and an overall rise of roughly 9% since 2018 (about 500,000 tons). He noted in‑state landfill disposal has declined owing to facility closures, while net exports for disposal have increased substantially as more material travels farther for disposal, often by rail, to states such as New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, Michigan and Alabama.
Fisher walked the committee through data caveats (the split between municipal solid waste and non‑MSW can be unreliable) and highlighted that the non‑MSW/C&D stream has driven much of the five‑year growth in disposal. He also presented projected in‑state capacity for landfills and municipal waste combustors and two scenarios for 2024–2030: one where total disposal remains flat and another where disposal declines at a rate consistent with achieving the 2030 reduction goal. Fisher said hitting the 2030 target would require roughly a 6% annual reduction in disposal tonnage and would materially reduce net exports.
MassDEP will post the full data update after QA/QC and invited committee members to submit corrections before publication.
