5-year Solid Waste Management Plan Review

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Following are the main points contained in the 5-Year Solid Waste Management Plan Review.

Solid Waste Minimization

• Sedgwick County opened a new Household Hazardous Waste Facility on October 5, 2002 at a more central location in Wichita.  This facility also has longer hours and boasts a Swap & Shop area.

• The number of customers at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility has increased by 14% from 2001 to 2002.

• The amount of used oil accepted at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility increased 68% in 2002 from the previous year.

• From October to December 2002, 227 people took home 6,193 lbs. of materials for reuse from the Swap & Shop at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

• Three construction & demolition (C & D) landfills are currently operating in Sedgwick County and accepted 123,986 tons of material in 2002.

• The Solid Waste Management Committee recommended  continuing the C & D materials ban from any municipal solid waste facility.

• The Solid Waste Management Committee has recommended upholding the grass clippings and fallen leaves ban from any municipal solid waste facility.  The date of implementation is yet to be determined.

• Sedgwick County provides 19 drop-off locations for recyclable material throughout the County.  Most accept newspapers, magazines, catalogs, steel and aluminum cans.

• The Solid Waste Management Committee has recommended continuing the current curbside recycling plans for Sedgwick County including curbside recycling in incorporated areas through mandatory pay with voluntary participation.  The date of implementation is yet to be determined.

• The Solid Waste Management Committee recommended that Pay-As-You-Throw volume-based trash rates should be implemented and that waste haulers would have to provide 3 levels of trash service based on volume.  The date of implementation is yet to be determined.

• Reports of illegal dumping activity increased 1.9% in 2002 from the previous year.  The City of Wichita Public Works Dept. reported 67% of the incidents.

• Approximately two illegal dumping cases per month are tried in County Court.

• The Committee recommended keeping the 40% waste minimization goal (based on 1500 tons per day—Brooks Landfill 7-day average).

Solid Waste Collection

• MSW in Sedgwick County is collected by private haulers.  The number of private haulers is decreasing since some companies are being acquired by others.

• Franchising has been discussed by many cities in Sedgwick County and some have implemented franchising including the City of Clearwater and the City of Bentley. 

• The Solid Waste Management Committee recommended maintaining the free-market system of solid waste collection, but also to encourage community dialogue and discussion for review of collection options that would reduce solid waste collection costs and impacts to infrastructure and the environment.

Solid Waste Disposal

• Waste generated in Sedgwick County is taken to either the Waste Connections Transfer Station and transferred to Red Carpet Landfill in Meno, Oklahoma or to the Waste Disposal Transfer Station and transferred to Topeka, Kansas

• The two transfer stations in Sedgwick County are currently permitted for a total of 2,100 tons per day.  They are currently operating at 58% of their capacity.

• The Solid Waste Management Committee voted to reaffirm its position in support of transfer stations for this community, not allowing MSW landfills in Sedgwick County.

• The BOCC recently approved a resolution to start the process of receiving input on the issue of a municipal solid waste disposal area to be located in Sedgwick County

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