Deschutes County floats idea of private landfill

Deschutes County commissioners weren’t quite ready on Monday to adopt an updated solid waste management plan that moves the county toward a Knott Landfill replacement when it fills up in about a decade. One board member said he wants more time to review it, while others said they’d want to make sure privatizing the operation is considered as one option.

County Solid Waste Director Timm Schimke , who presented the study to commissioners a week ago, was back to answer any questions or concerns.

Commissioner Phil Henderson said he’s still reading the document, while colleague Tony DeBone raised the idea of moving from a county government-run landfill to a private company when the southeast Bend facility runs out of dump space, expected in about a decade.

A recent survey found that most residents favor a new landfill near Bend, to replace Knott when the time comes, rather than shipping the region’s trash to a regional facility hundreds of miles away.

But the process of siting a new landfill proved to be a major political challenge when first considered a few decades ago, at a time when Deschutes County was less populated, and that’s quite likely once again.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Patti Adair labeled as ” scary ” the county’s low waste recovery numbers — keeping trash out of the landfill — and said she was shocked to learn 20 percent of the disposed-of trash, by volume, is food waste.

Schimke said most food waste is created by restaurants, and much of it can’t be recycled or composted, as such materials cannot contain paper, plastic or rubber bands, for example. Also, he said, meat and dairy products must be separated, so they have to exclude some organizations that don’t separate their food to that degree.

He also noted that wood waste taken to the landfill is heavier, by weight.

Commissioners focused on the food waste issue in a bid to find programs that can boost how much of that material is kept out of the landfill.

After DeBone floated the idea of having the private sector take over solid waste management, Henderson said he doesn’t want to lose the “friendly neighborhood” relationship residents have with the county.

DeBone said he’s worried if they don’t consider a private company option, residents will accuse them of being short-sighted. He later said that option is unlikely and only wants to look at privatization to make sure residents know all options are taken into consideration in the process.

Adair stressed that Schimke and his department have been doing a great job, but commissioners need to at least consider the shift to a private contractor.

Henderson also noted how complex recycling has become.

Schimke recalled how decades ago, garbage trucks had nine containers for various materials, but one compartment would fill up, so they had to send half-full trucks back to the landfill.

A switch to commingled trash was more effective in that regard, he said, but the current method of separating recycled items at the dump is far less effective.

Adair also asked about recycling opportunities for hotel guests. Schimke said there’s no rule and it’s up to each business to set its own policy.

Henderson had praise for the plan but said he wants more time to read it. Commissioners will return to the discussion Sept. 4, with possible adoption then.

The board also discussed sewage systems in Terrebonne . NewsChannel 21 recently reported some residents are worried about the impacts of septic tanks.

Commissioners said they’d like to see if it’s possible to connect small clusters of homes and businesses to a small sewer system. But while some septic systems in the unincorporated community are failing, board members said they don’t want to force people to hook up to a costly sewer system they don’t want.

The commissioners want to hold public meetings for more community input before a proposal is brought back to them for consideration.