Geauga–Trumbull Solid Waste District outlines five‑year plan, recycling operations and budget pressures

Jennifer Jones, director of the Geauga–Trumbull Solid Waste District, told commissioners the district is a multicounty government agency funded largely by landfill tonnage fees and that it does not use county funds. Jones said the district receives roughly $55.50 per ton remitted by local landfills and currently collects about $1.9 million annually while spending approximately $2.1 million per year to run drop‑off sites, school recycling, household hazardous‑waste programs and other services.

Jones described operations at two collection facilities, an expanding school‑bin program (14 schools in Trumbull County), 43 community drop‑off sites (31 in Trumbull), electronics and household hazardous‑waste shipments and community grant programs that total around $350,000 annually. She said the district is finalizing a 300‑page five‑year plan and will release a short summary and a 30‑day public comment period ahead of a March public hearing; county approval of the plan is required as part of the ratification process.

Commissioners asked whether county buildings and offices could be better equipped for recycling; Jones offered to provide recycling containers but cautioned that consistent sorting and custodial cooperation are necessary to avoid contamination. Jones also noted that diverting food waste and other materials could reduce landfill pressure but could reduce the district’s tonnage‑based receipts over time.

Next steps: the district will send the county the plan summary and certified notice when the public comment period opens in March; commissioners were invited to tour the Trumbull County facility.