Changes made to extend the capacity of the Oglethorpe County Construction and Demolition Landfill have been successful, as the Board of Commissioners continues to await state approval for expansion.
The regulations that went into effect on Oct. 16 maintained a tipping rate of $40 per ton with a minimum fee of $10. Loads more than two tons are considered commercial and are charged at a rate of $60 per ton.
In addition to increased rates, access is limited to residents of Oglethorpe County.
Initially projected to run out of space by this April, these measures have successfully reduced the waste stream of the landfill, Commission Chair Jay Paul said.
The goal is to effectively manage waste until expansion is approved.
If Oglethorpe County was not moving toward expansion, it would face a potential closure. Georgia regulations require post-closure care to be maintained for at least 30 years after its closing.
Paul said this maintenance isn’t cheap.
Current landfill revenue is spent on equipment, employee salaries, maintenance and reserves for potential post-closure needs.
“We have to be aware of something looming large for all landfills down the road — closures, and that’s costly and time-consuming, as well,” Paul said.
While the changes reduce waste intake during the permit approval process, the landfill’s long-term closure prevention remains a priority since it’s a source of revenue.
In the most recent waste disposal report from Oglethorpe County prior to resident restrictions, Athens-Clarke County contributed 1,726 tons of waste to the landfill from January to March in 2018.
This is 48.6% of the total waste collection from that quarter and the highest tipping fees from one county.
Current residence restrictions result in loss of revenue sources from outside counties, such as Athens-Clarke County, which bring in significant tipping fees.
If the state approves the expansion permit, Jeff Sharp, director of planning and zoning, said the landfill will begin to accept waste from other counties.
Sharp estimates the expansion process will take two years after permit approval.
“With the capacity we have left, if this goes according to plan, then we should be able to last until we get the expansion,” Sharp said.