Support Strong for Solid Waste Program

Kansans want to see the state's solid waste management grant programs continued. That's the finding of a program evaluation conducted by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

"The tipping fee program is an example of how society has responded to our need to manage the trash that a modern society generates," said KDHE Secretary Gary Mitchell. "The tipping fee program has allowed Kansas to modernize our landfills and jump start our recycling effort. Judging from the input at our public hearing and the meetings I have had with local officials you would have to say the program has been a success."

Secretary Mitchell conducted a public meeting this summer and received over 120 responses to a survey sent to private businesses and public officials. The information gathering is part of the preparation of a report to be submitted to the 1998 Legislature.

"There's strong consensus grant programs should be continued," said Bill Bider, director of the Bureau of Waste Management. "Our survey showed support for an increased tipping fee to maintain the grant programs."

Trash received at the state's 51 municipal solid waste landfills is assessed a $1.00 per ton tipping fee. The monies support the department's solid waste program to ensure the landfills and over 300 other solid waste management facilities do not harm the environment or public health. Half the funds support waste reduction, education, recycling, and composting grant programs.

Other findings include: fifty percent of the responders recommend increasing the tipping fee to continue grant programs; about 37 percent opposed an increase, nearly 80 percent of persons opposing a tipping fee increase want to maintain at least three grant programs, the regulated community wanted more technical training opportunities, the department should devote more time and money to monitor and repair damage to old, closed or abandoned dumps, responders ranked grants for waste reduction, recycling, and composting the highest priorities, and local communities saw their greatest challenge as establishing or enhancing markets for recyclable materials.

"I'm pleased a majority of those surveyed felt the grant program was helping the state meet its solid waste management needs," said Mitchell. "Staff are taking the recommendations seriously as we prepare our report to the Legislature."

The Legislature approved the solid waste tipping fee in 1992. Since inception its generated $22 million, of which over $9 million has been returned to private businesses and local communities in the form of grants to stimulate improved solid waste management practices including recycling. The funds have also been used to address contamination concerns at 13 old, closed or abandoned landfills.