Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Waste Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Portage County solid waste staff report steady garbage, fluctuating recycling and move to raise recycling fee
Summary
At a Portage County Solid Waste Committee meeting, staff reported steady garbage tonnage but fluctuating recycling volumes, a planned $3-per-ton increase in the recycling shipping fee, and a safety-driven plan to relocate a 1,000-gallon used-oil tank to the recycling facility.
The Portage County Solid Waste Committee heard operations updates Wednesday that described steady household garbage tonnage alongside more-variable recycling volumes, a planned increase to recycling shipping fees and a proposal to relocate a large used-oil tank to improve safety.
During the director—s report, the director said the truck scale was upgraded Oct. 20 and that the county paid $500 to sponsor a deer-carcass dumpster recently installed at the site. "Holiday light recycling begins or will begin November 1 and go through the January," the director said, noting the program will run in partnership with Habitat for Humanity to expand drop-off locations. The director said there are currently 11 drop-off locations, including eight municipal sites and three private sites.
The site coordinator summarized landfill operations, saying staff completed water sampling last month and will submit the biannual report to the DNR before month—s end. The coordinator also described a safety modification to the leachate tank lid designed to limit confined-space risk while preserving access for sampling and level checks.
On recycling markets, the director announced a $3 increase to the recycling shipping fee, from $92 to $95 per ton, citing a drop in market prices: "I will be raising it $3 starting Saturday to $95 a ton," the director said. Committee members confirmed they have not received public complaints about tipping fees.
The committee also discussed household hazardous waste (HHW) usage: the site coordinator said a Waupaca County HHW staff member recently left, increasing out-of-county participation in Portage County—s program; out-of-county residents pay a higher disposal fee because Portage County—s grant does not cover disposal for nonresidents. Staff said the HHW season ends Nov. 1 and that online registration is being used for scheduling.
Members questioned whether the county—s equipment could move the 1,000-gallon oil tank. The director said a towing company advised the county the tank could be moved but that staff prefer hiring specialists to avoid damage to county equipment; several members said OSHA would recommend use of a crane or rotator for safety.
The committee voted to accept the site coordinator and director reports and to place them on file by voice vote. The meeting set a next session for Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 4:30 p.m.
Portage County staff emphasized that a number of decisions remain operational: the recycling fee will take effect on the announced date, and the oil-tank relocation will proceed only after permitting and hiring qualified equipment for the move.
