By Jessie Burchette
jburchette@salisburypost.com
For the first time in a decade or more, garbage and other waste from the city of Salisbury will go to the Rowan County landfill on Campbell Road.
City garbage or solid waste has been hauled by Waste Management to its landfill adjacent to Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord.
City officials notified the county late this week that they will begin sending solid waste to the landfill beginning Monday.
Kathryn Jolly, county director of environmental services, said she talked with Lynn Hillard, manager of solid waste for the city, to make preparations.
She also extended a welcome, adding that she hopes the city will permanently use the county landfill. “It’s best for the county and the city,” said Jolly.
One of the attractions of the county landfill is the per ton charge, which is one of the lowest in the region.
Jolly also contacted officials in the solid waste division of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources to make sure the additional waste won’t impact the county’s permit.
Currently, the county’s waste stream is down from previous years. In the 2007 fiscal year, the landfill processed 141,000 tons of waste. This year, which ends Monday, the county will have processed around 107,000 tons.
Jolly said the drop is in part due to the drought. “Wet waste weighs more .… It hasn’t rained much.”
And consumption is down because of the strained economy, which results in less waste.
Meanwhile, the county has seen an uptick in recycling.
Jolly said the tonnage of waste has dropped statewide due to the same factors.
According to figures provided by the city, Salisbury produces around 30,000 tons of waste annually.
City officials did not immediately respond to Post calls.