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Landfill fees refers to the fees paid by those disposing of waste in a landfill. These are also known as a gate or tipping fees. The fee is levied upon receiving the waste materials at the waste processing plant (such as a landfill). The landfill fees are usually calculated based on the weight of the waste, per ton.
Landfill fees are levied to offset the costs of maintaining the landfill as per state and federal regulations. This ensures all waste is carefully disposed off.
Landfills and How They Work
The majority of our household or commercial wastes usually end up in a sanitary landfill. These are generally located in the outskirts of the city. However, most of us have no clue what happens to the trash after that. As waste materials slowly degrade, they release a lot of toxins that can pollute the environment and pose a health hazard if not properly taken care of.
This is why sanitary landfills are constructed away from urban settlements. Moreover, for effective waste disposal, they are designed with impermeable layers so that the toxins cannot seep into the groundwater. Also, the compacted waste is covered with layers of soil to maximize smooth decomposition and minimize air pollution.
Thus, the construction, opening, running and eventual closing of a landfill is a complex and expensive process. Sanitary landfills not only offer a space to safely bury tons of waste, but are also engineered to function as biological reactors, breaking down the toxic substances to simpler, organic components. Hence, operating a landfill is a huge financial endeavor. As a result, a gate fee is levied at the facility at the time of receiving the waste.
There are over 1270 landfills currently operating in the United States. Without proper maintenance of these landfills, the liners may get porous or contaminated, or landfill fires may occur that are highly dangerous. Thus, this tipping fee is crucial for effective disposal of solid waste.
What are Landfill Fees?
Landfill fees are the fees levied at the facility, at the time of receiving waste materials from the waste generators. This money goes into offsetting the costs of safely operating the landfill as per environmental and other regulations. The amount varies depending on the weight of the waste. However, in some areas, it may be charged depending on the load or source of waste. For instance, in Illinois, the tipping fees start at $2 per ton.
When are Landfill Fees Applied?
Landfill fees are applied at the time of receiving the waste at the facility. Thus, the operators who are dropping off the waste at the landfill have to pay a gate fee based on the amount of waste collected.
How to Avoid Landfill Fees
If you’re planning to drive to the nearest landfill to drop off some trash, you must factor in the landfill fees, in addition to the fuel costs. While smaller loads may be fine, dropping off a large load may burn a deep hole in your pocket. Fortunately, you can get rid of your waste AND avoid landfill fees, in the following ways:
- Hand over your garbage to the weekly trash pick-up service.
- For prohibited items, call a waste management company or an alternative recycling facility.
- Depending on the kind of materials, you can opt to reuse or recycle, or donate the items.
- Call a dumpster rental service, who will responsibly dispose off the trash at the landfill.
Thus, the most economical (and stress-free) way to get rid of waste and avoid landfill fees is to rent a dumpster for a few days, load it up and let the staff drive it off to the appropriate landfill or processing plant. This way, you don’t have to worry about extra fuel costs, hidden fees or any other hassles related to waste disposal.
Landfill Fees are Necessary for Better Waste Management
Landfill fees are thus a necessary aspect of operating a landfill. Due to our consumerist lifestyles, humankind generates a huge ton of waste each day—all of which must be safely disposed off in an eco-friendly manner, so that the planet continues to be habitable for future generations and other lifeforms.
Sanitary landfills have been engineered to provide an answer for our waste disposal concerns, but even these spaces require the right resources, trained personnel and routine maintenance checks for effective functioning until their full capacity is reached. The gate fees, thus, help with the financial costs of smoothly running the landfill.
Call Discount Dumpster for Easy Dumpster Rental Services
Waste management is indeed, a complicated process. However, for the average citizen, it need not be a cumbersome procedure. Whether you’re cleaning out the garage, performing some much-needed renovations or tasked with a new construction project, you can rely on Discount Dumpster for all your waste removal needs.
Our rental containers come in various sizes (suited for different job needs), with a flexible 14-day rental period that can be extended upon request. Moreover, our prices are the cheapest in the region, with free pick-up and drop-off, and no hidden fees. If you’re worried about landfill fees, permits or any other aspect of waste disposal, our customer service team will help you understand the process and clarify your doubts.
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