Diverting waste from the landfill through waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, has proven economic and environmental benefits for communities including Teton Valley.
With a sustainable recycling program, our waste diversion rate has increased from less than 13 percent in 2011 to 28 percent in 2015.
In this chart you will find a breakdown of the diverted waste along with savings, revenues and cost associated to the different materials for 2015. Ultimately the diversion of these materials totaled a little more than $205,000 in tax dollars saved throughout fiscal year of 2016. These savings and cost do not reflect administrative or processing cost onsite by county personnel.
According to Solid Waste Manager Saul Valera, the recycling markets for fiscal year 2016 were barely existent. The commodity prices were very low and finding end destinations for recycling products was challenging. The Transfer Station accrued materials as long as possible in hopes of eventually obtaining better prices for recycled products. Fiscal year 2017 is showing some promising signs.
Teton County Solid Waste sent out a load of 29.5 tons of loose mixed paper at a revenue of $80 per ton. Mixed paper is one of the materials that at one time, had no end destination. The Transfer Station is planning on sending out an additional load of loose mixed paper with approximately 20 tons for the same revenue of $80 per ton by the end of 2016. This is the highest price Teton County has been offered for mixed paper. The average price offered for paper in the past would fluctuate from $35 per ton to $45 per ton.