Committee hears operations updates, Clean Sweep e‑waste cost spike and roll‑off purchases

Adams County solid‑waste staff on Feb. 3 updated the Solid Waste Committee on multiple operations items including an airspace evaluation, a vertical‑expansion completeness response, a planned roll‑off truck purchase, and a Clean Sweep event scheduling concern related to e‑waste vendor costs.

Ruben (solid‑waste staff) said Tetra Tech will submit the air and solid‑waste annual reports by April and reported completion of an airspace evaluation and the vertical‑expansion completeness response letter. He said the vertical‑expansion package is submitted but the county is not yet permitted for the next step.

On Clean Sweep planning, Ruben said the vendor that usually handles e‑waste collection expected compensation this year and requested about $15,400 compared with prior years' approximately $3,000. He outlined options: eliminate e‑waste collection from the event and retain hazardous‑waste and appliance collection, charge participants a reduced fee for e‑waste, or cancel the event. Ruben described staging constraints, container availability (Gaylords, 20–30 yard containers) and the need for volunteer support if vendor staff are not present.

Ruben also reviewed operational improvements such as adding a dump pad to reduce equipment damage and planning a summer bulk drop‑off location on the facility’s north end to reduce fill‑delay of 20‑yard containers. He said an ordered roll‑off truck is being built and that more details on ETA will follow. On tonnage, Ruben attributed declines to some haulers directing volumes to their own facilities, though Republic has recently resumed deliveries and MRF volumes may increase.

A newly formed strategic planning task force including finance and solid‑waste staff held its first meeting Jan. 27 to explore revenue and efficiency ideas; Ruben said staff will return with more proposals.

The committee set its next meeting for March 10 at 4:00 p.m., and adjourned at 5:08 p.m.