Waste that comes to the landfill is subjected to various intense procedures.
Ordinary Waste that is not recycled, salvaged, or donated is thrown into the landfill. Once it is put into the landfill, it is leveled and compacted with machinery to make it as small as possible. After the waste is compacted, it is covered with dirt, allowing the anaerobic process to begin. This produces landfill gas.
Recyclables and Diverted Items are processed to utilize what would otherwise be trash in a way that creates something new, keeping it out of the landfill.
- Wood Waste (including branches, shrubs, pallets, and clean lumber) is chipped by a landfill contractor. All metals (nails and staples) are magnetically removed. The chipped wood is then sold to other businesses for such things as animal bedding or garden mulch.
- Construction/Demolition Waste has a huge impact on the landfill airspace, especially with the current housing boom in Ada County. It is bulky and large, making it hard to compact. As landfills fill up, it will be increasingly important to separate construction debris for reuse, recycling, donation, and salvage.
- Tires are down-cycled into a ground material that can be used in playgrounds and other industrial applications. It is very important to keep tires out of the landfill. Not only do they not decompose, but due to their shape and petroleum content, they can capture methane gas and combust.
- Cardboard is an increasingly impactful material in the recycling stream. Due to a boom in online orders and packaging, the sheer quantity of cardboard makes it a nuisance in mixed-stream recycling. However, it is increasing in value as more industries create recycled cardboard products.
- Metals can be deposited in our scrap metal pile to be recycled. This includes any household item that is mostly metal like lawn chairs, grills, and workout equipment. Lawn mowers and other items with gas or oil go in a separate pile to be drained. Appliances go in a separate section where they are checked for Freon and processed differently. Bicycles are donated to City of Meridian’s Recycle-a-Bicycle program.
- TVs and E-Waste are shipped off and stripped of any toxic materials. Useful components can be processed to make the next generation of electronics. Your next phone or microwave could have recycled materials that came from the Ada County Landfill! TVs and electronics can be deposited at Ada County Landfill any day, M-Sat.
- Household Hazardous Waste is processed differently than any other item in the landfill. If an item is brought to the Household Hazardous Waste Facility or a Mobile Collection Site, it is examined for reuse. If it is a currently acceptable item that is sold in stores, is at least half full and in the original container, it can be put into the Material Reuse Program where Ada County Residents can take the item, free of charge. If the item does not meet those requirements it is processed for proper disposal through a contractor who is trained in handling hazardous materials. Each chemical is processed differently, however. Things like used cooking and motor oil are shipped off to be reprocessed.
No matter what type of waste is brought to the landfill, we believe in utilizing the most environmentally efficient method of disposal, ensuring the longevity of the Ada County Landfill.
Questions?
Ada County Landfill
(208) 577-4725
[email protected]