Landfill History and Future
The Winneshiek County Sanitary Landfill is a regional landfill serving the counties of Winneshiek, Howard, Clayton and the municipality of Postville. The population served by the Winneshiek County Sanitary Landfill is approximately 70,000. (2011 census)
The Winneshiek County Sanitary Landfill is about 240 acres, of which about 83 acres are contained within the footprint of the existing landfill.
The Winneshiek County Sanitary Landfill was opened as a privately owned and operated landfill in 1974 and remained so until January 1991. In 1991, Winneshiek County purchased the landfill and leased operations to the Winneshiek County Area Solid Waste Agency. The Winneshiek County Area Solid Waste Agency officers for the 2024 calendar year are: Mark Vick - Chairperson, Daniel Langreck - Vice-Chairperson, Leon Kipp - Treasurer, Keith Frana - Secretary
Costs associated with the closing of the landfill are called Closure and Post Closure costs, a portion of tipping fees charged at the landfill are reserved for the purpose of covering the closure and post closure costs. It is expected to cost around 5.1 million dollars for closure and post closure of this landfill. With the 2016 expansion project, and using current volumes, the landfill has approximately 30 years of space remaining. Once closed, the agency will monitor methane gas, settlement, ground water, storm water runoff, leachate, fencing, vegetation, building maintenance, and erosion for a period of 30 years.
Landfill Revenues
There is 20 pound minimum at the landfill and the tipping fee at the Winneshiek County Sanitary Landfill is the sole means of revenue collected. The landfill averages approximately 1.5 million in tipping fee revenue annually.
The tipping fee at the Winneshiek County Sanitary Landfill is currently $76.00 per ton. All items accepted at the Winneshiek County Sanitary Landfill are charged by the ton. As of April 1, 2024, the landfill no longer accepts appliances or electronics. These items must be taken to the Winneshiek County Recycling Center. For more information, please visit the "What Do I Do With" tab at the top of the screen. Glass materials collected at Howard and Winneshiek County Recycling centers can be used at the landfill as a drainage layer. Winneshiek County Sanitary Landfill pays $12 per ton for glass material received from Howard and Winneshiek County Recycling centers. The landfill uses clay as daily cover.