How much longer will the current Cache County landfill be operating?
The current landfill is scheduled to be closed in 2022. However, we will begin closing the landfill as soon as a new Cache County landfill is open and operational. We hope to begin closing the current Cache County landfill within the next five years.
What will happen to our current landfill?
We will continue to use the current landfill for construction and demolition (C&D) waste disposal. Once the final capacity of the landfill is reached, it will be closed according to Federal and State regulations. Utah Administrative Code R315-302-2 outlines the general closure and post-closure requirements.
The current landfill will be closed in multiple stages. For each stage we are required to design and install a final cover system. The final cover system, at a minimum, must consist of:
- An infiltration layer that is at least 18 inches thick and uses soil types that limit permeability
- An erosion layer on top of the infiltration layer that consists of a minimum of 6 inches of soil that is suitable for growing native plants in order to aid in minimizing erosion.
The landfill, once covered, will have a grade of 3,5, and 10% in order to allow stormwater run-off with minimal erosion.
What happens after the landfill is closed?
We are required to provide post-closure activitires for continued facility maintenance and monitoring of landfill gasses, land, and water for 30 years or as long as the Executive Secretary determines is necessary for the facility.
According to the EPA, Post-closure care may include:
- Groundwater and surface water monitoring
- Leachate collection and treatment
- Gas monitoring
- Maintenance of the facility
- Minimize infiltration of precipitation into the waste
- Promote good surface drainage
- Resist erosion
- Control landfill gas migration and/or enhance recovery
- Separate waste from vectors (e.g. animals and insects)
- Improve aesthetics
- Minimize long-term maintenance
- Any activity required by the Executive Secretary to protect human health and the environment
- Consider final use of the property.
We are currently in the process of developing and finalizing our landfill closure plan which must be approved by the State Regulator.
How much does it cost to close a landfill?
We expect landfill closure to cost approximately 7 million dollars according to 2007 estimates. Landfill management requires that you begin saving for closure costs when a landfill is opened.
Where will the new landfill be located?
As of right now, the new Cache County landfill will be located approximately 5 miles north of the town Clarkston, UT near the Utah/Idaho border and will be called the North Valley Landfill. Recently, the Box Elder County Commissioners declined to provide us with a proposal for a two county landfill in Box Elder County.
Where will I drop off garbage?
All customers will drop off garbage at the current location, but in a transfer station. Transfer stations are large warehouse type buildings with cement floors. They make waste disposal cleaner and more convenient than a traditional landfill setting. At this time, the new landfill will not be open for business to the public.
Where will I drop off green waste?
Our green waste facility will remain at the current location, 1400 W 200 N in Logan.
Where will I drop off household hazardous waste?
Our Household Hazardous waste area will remain at the current location, 1400 W 200 N in Logan, and be open the same hours as the transfer station.
Where will I drop off construction and demolition (C&D) waste?
C&D will remain at the current location, 1400 W 200 N in Logan. C&D will continue to be disposed of in the current landfill until the landfill capacity is reached.
Will you still offer tours of the landfill?
At this time, we will not be offering tours of the new landfill, however, we will offer tours of the transfer station, green waste facility, and the household hazardous waste facility.
How did you decide on where to place the new landfill?
The landfill siting process has been ongoing for nearly 10 years. We contracted HDR Engineering to perform the siting study (the full report can be seen here).
HDR Engineering, through scientific studies, narrowed a potential site list from 20 potential locations to six locations. Additionally, we created a Citizens Advisory Committee and held numerous public meetings that helped to inform the final decision. Please see the complete study for more information about the siting process.
How do we know the new landfill site is safe?
The EPA and the State of Utah have requirements and standards that must be kept when operating a landfill. For the State of Utah, Title R315 of the Utah Administrative Code contains solid waste laws and rules. Engineers and scientists along with the State of Utah have performed and will continue to perform numerous tests at this location to ensure all requirements and standards are met. We are committed to protecting human health and the environment.
When do you expect the new landfill to be in operation?
We expect the new landfill to be in operation in approximately 2015 or 2016.
Will garbage collection cost more with the new landfill?
We do not anticipate any rate increases at this time, however, we cannot guarantee a rate increase will not go into effect.
How many trucks will go to the new landfill per day?
We estimate approximately 10 to 15 trucks per day.
