On Wednesday, the Marion County Board of Commissioners approved solid waste disposal fee increases that will go into effect October 1, 2016. The new fees include a $20 increase in the per ton tip fee for franchised garbage haulers, as well as at the Salem-Keizer Recycling & Transfer Station and the North Marion Transfer Station.
The new fee for garbage haulers will be $87.45 per ton and $107.45 per ton at the transfer stations. This is the first increase in tip fees since 1992. Residential customers may see an estimated 6-8% increase in their garbage service resulting from the new tip fee.
Over the last year, the commissioners and the Solid Waste Management Advisory Council have been reviewing the impacts of various market conditions on the county's solid waste system. The commissioners held a public hearing on Wednesday, March 30, regarding the proposed fee increases. This was the last in series of public meetings where the commissioners or Solid Waste Management Advisory Council discussed the possibility of increased tipping fees to preserve current service levels and maintain mandatory reserves. The county will work in cooperation with the Mid-Valley Garbage & Recycling Association from now through October to provide information to residential customers about the new tip fee.
Commissioner Kevin Cameron, board chair, said, "For decades, Marion County has been a leader in solid waste and recycling in Oregon and the United States. We are extremely proud of Marion County's innovative and comprehensive waste management system. Marion County has consistently maintained one of the highest recycling rates in the state and we work continually to reduce the waste stream in a cost effective and efficient manner." He continued, "County residents can be proud that only 8% of trash is landfilled while the U.S. average is approximately 64%."
Marion County manages a nationally-recognized integrated system that ensures the safe and sanitary disposal of solid waste. The county prioritizes waste reduction and recycling and recovers energy from the material that remains. Due to the efforts of residents and businesses, the county maintains one of the highest recycling rates in the state. Including credits received for reuse, home composting and waste reduction programs, our communities recycled 59.7% of all waste generated in 2014.
For more information, contact Jolene Kelley at (503) 588-5212 or email commissioners@co.marion.or.us.
