The Kootenai County Solid Waste Department provides a comprehensive disposal system including the landfill, Ramsey and Prairie transfer stations, 13 rural sites and closed landfill maintenance. The county does not provide curbside services and private entities contract with cities or directly with citizens for collection.

The county has the only landfill with extensive environmental controls in North Idaho — other counties transfer waste to Montana, Washington and Oregon and only offer limited services.

Extensive contracts with private businesses are utilized for waste transfer; rural site collections; recycling for wood, metal, batteries, tires, clothing, oil, hazardous waste; recycling processing; engineering and construction; gas to energy production; and purchase of parts, supplies, repairs, maintenance, and other local services.

The program is fully funded by fees without utilizing tax dollars. The $93 fee has not changed since 2010 and allows residential customers to dispose of up to one ton, recycle materials, deposit hazardous waste, and other services, each visit at no additional charge. Residents delivering more than one ton and commercial customers pay $67.70 per ton. By comparison, the closest privately operated site charges $96.27 per ton with a minimum of $14.48 each load.

In 2017, there were more than 674,800 customer transactions, an increase of 94,000 and 29.65 percent waste increase, compared with five years ago — without increasing fees.

The department provides services with regard to fiscal responsibility, public safety, essential service, and preservation of natural resources and responsible management of public assets.

I would like to express appreciation to our contractors, vendors, staff and the public, for contributing to the success of the solid waste program.

CATHY MAYER

Solid Waste Director

Coeur d’Alene