Several changes coming to Erie County's landfill

MILAN TWP. — For the first time in several years, Erie County officials intend on raising existing fees and establishing new ones at its landfill in Milan Township. During a recent public meeting, commissioners took the necessary actions to begin proceeding with this action. People can attend a public meeting — 9:30 a.m. Feb. 15 at the Erie County Services Center, 2900 Columbus Ave., Sandusky — to voice their opinions on these changes. It's almost a certainty, however, this new rate structure should take effect come March 1, when people can expect the following changes. Among the more notable: • Mattresses — There will be a $10-per-item additional charge when dropping off mattresses, box springs or sofa beds. It's an increase from $5 per item. • Construction debris — The rate will remain $30 per ton for county residents, but it will increase to $40 per ton for all non-locals. • Dumping — There will be a new $100 fee for people who dump waste outside the landfill's fences. "An example is a trash hauler dumps most of the load on top of the hill then drives down the road to the base of the hill and cleans off the trash that is stuck on the tailgate," commissioner Matt Old said. Meanwhile the general or bulk rate for waste, $52 per ton, remains in place. Looking at the landfill Erie County officials put together some information on the landfill on Hoover Road in Milan Township: • The landfill "is a non-hazardous municipal solid waste and construction demolition debris disposal facility that opened in 1970. The facility is uniquely owned and operated by the Erie County board of commissioners." • The facility is 331 acres. From this amount: — 94 acres are filled and capped — 31 acres constructed and open for waste placement, open for about three years — 29 acres approved for future waste placement and not yet constructed • The site accepts around 160,000 tons of solid waste per year. From this amount, each year, about: — 39,000 tons are construction/demolition debris — 9,000 mattresses are accepted — 3,100 tires are sent out to be recycled • There is "around 20 to 40 years of permitted airspace (that) currently remain until the site is forced to close."