Solid-waste staff weigh e-waste vendor options and landfill fee policy amid regional changes

Jefferson County solid-waste staff and commissioners discussed Sept. 2 whether to expand e-waste services through a private vendor that would accept refrigerated appliances, how to document end-of-life processing for regulated refrigerants, and whether the county should change landfill fees or billing policies for commercial haulers in response to new regional landfill rates.

Brandy, solid-waste program staff, told commissioners she had reviewed a service proposal from a company called eCyclers that would — at least for the first year — collect electronics and reportedly accept refrigerators and air conditioners after Freon removal. Staff cautioned that refrigerant handling is heavily regulated and requires documented end-of-life disposal; the county currently pays a vendor to recycle Freon and has certified staff who remove refrigerant before placing appliances on the metal pile.

Brandy said Rom Recycling has been the county’s long-standing electronics collector but could not always provide documentation the county requires. The new company offered free collection for the first year but staff said the price beyond year one was uncertain. Commissioners suggested staff could refer residents to eCyclers for items the county does not accept rather than replacing the existing MOU with Rom.

In a wider discussion, staff and commissioners discussed pressure from neighboring counties (Bonneville, Madison) that are setting higher disposal rates and how that may shift commercial-hauler behavior. Staff noted Jefferson County historically has had lower fees and that surrounding counties’ higher per-ton charges could prompt haulers to route loads to Jefferson. Commissioners discussed options including commercial-only fees or requiring haulers to certify the county origin of loads; staff were asked to gather comparative rate data and options for an updated policy.

No contract was approved at the meeting; staff were authorized to continue negotiations, approach eCyclers about a referral arrangement and to gather data on regional landfill rates and commercial-hauler verification options.