SANDPOINT — During its monthly Solid Waste update with Bonner County commissioners, department officials told the board that the amount of overall solid waste declined in the past year.   

As a district, Solid Waste recorded 1,674 loads of solid waste, equating to 51,110.75 tons — about a 2% decrease from the previous year, operations manager Melissa Gault said int a report on end-of-year totals for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Despite the dip in total tonnage, some materials saw a notable increase, particularly metal, tires, batteries and cardboard, while wood and electric waste declined. 

According to data submitted to commissioners, wood waste was the costliest for the department to manage at $392,559.65 to dispose of 6,506.14 tons. The county also paid $112,41.03 to handle 390.83 tons of tires, while the proper disposal of 486 units of electric waste was $9,600. 

On the recycling side, the disposal of 221 tons of cardboard was free. The county also gained revenue from metal and battery recycling, which are collected and sold to private recyclers. 

Pacific Recycling purchased 1,440.15 tons of metal, generating $133,933 in income for the county, while Interstate Recycling paid $2,564 for 4.22 tons of batteries. 

Solid Waste further shared that 390.83 tons of tires were disposed of, costing the county $112,41.03.  

According to data submitted to commissioners, waste sites around the county saw steady visitations throughout the year. Dufort Waste Site saw 148,389 vehicles throughout the year — the highest amount in the county.  

It was additionally recorded that the Colburn Waste Site received the most revenue — $282,518.90.  

More information about the department’s end-of-year totals can be found at https://bit.ly/3JE1JLn