CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The landfill that serves Montgomery and Stewart Counties is adding fees for trailers of trash, certain appliances and large loads of wood, with new fees ranging from $10 to over $50 per load.

Bi-County Solid Waste Management will change its fee structure residents effective Jan. 1. The new fee schedule will apply to large loads from an individual’s residence, according to a county news release.

Most everyday users won’t be affected. The $5 monthly landfill user fee billed to residents will continue to cover small loads of bagged household waste and other items at the Dover Road Landfill and Convenience Centers that fit in a standard pickup truck, SUV, passenger vehicle or small trailer. Small loads will remain free, subject to verification of name, address and up-to-date landfill user fee payments, the release said.

No longer free

Since Bi-County opened in 1974, residents have been able to dispose of unlimited trash with little to no cost, which had made it stand out from most other communities where fees for large loads of trash are common.

“Bi-County Solid Waste Board members and Bi-County staff do not take this change lightly,” said Montgomery County Commissioner and Bi-County Board Chairman John Gannon in the release. “The research showed that we are well under the market rate.”

Executive Director of Bi-County Landfill Mark Neblett said in the release, “We have been working on this proposal for a while now to make it as fair and low-cost as possible. Staff members spent a great deal of time researching what surrounding counties and others charge across Tennessee and the United States. One example is Dickson County, which operates most closely to Bi-County, charging residents a $10 per month user fee and $54 per ton for large loads.

“No one wants to pay fees; however, it is remarkable we have made it almost 50 years without charging for load sizes,” Neblett said.

New fee schedule

The fee schedule beginning Jan. 1:

• Large trailers with large loads pay a $30 flat fee.
• Medium trailers with large loads pay a $20 flat fee.
• Mattresses and box springs are $10 each
• Freon appliances are $10 each.
• Wood waste: first 500 pounds covered by the user fee. Above 500 pounds, the rate is .023 cents per pound/$46 per ton.
• Demolition loads will pay $2 less than the current commercial gate rate, at $10 per cubic yard.

Trailer sizes will be determined by yardage based on the length, width and size of the trailer sides. Bi-County scale employees will work with patrons using reasonable discretion on the sizing of loads, the release said.

Fees for mattress shredder, litter pickup

The fees collected will be set aside for the future purchase of an $800,000 mattress shredder to assist in processing mattresses and for personnel dedicated to pick up litter along Highway 79/Dover Road.

Mattresses are a complicated waste in landfills that cause leachate (garbage water) problems, compaction issues and costly equipment repairs, the release said. They must be dug out of the slopes, pulling equipment and employees from other projects. Additionally, litter and large items are becoming more common on Highway 79, even with Environmental Enforcement keeping a watchful eye on this section of the road.

“Highway 79 is the gateway to Stewart County and a major highway in Montgomery County. We owe it to the residents of both counties to ensure we are maintaining the litter in this area,” said Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden.

Cost of creating garbage

“We’ve become a more ‘disposable society,’ finding it cheaper to replace an item than repair it,” Neblett said. “Bi-County has seen major increases in household waste and specialty items, including mattresses, which are banned in many landfills.

“The new fees are reasonable for the services offered compared to other locations that charge by ton, bag or yard. When our transient military families call to inquire about solid waste disposal rates, they are often shocked there is little to no cost for the disposal of large household items,” he said.

Golden and Stewart County Mayor Robert Beecham both stated they are relieved to know there is a long-term plan.

“After recently attending a conference with other mayors across the state and hearing the challenges they face with landfill space, we know we are blessed to have Bi-County Landfill. Operational costs are expensive and increase every year. We must look toward the future,” Golden said.

For questions about the additional fees for residents who take waste items to the landfill, visit mcgtn/bi-county or call 931-648-5751.