It may come as a surprise, but landfills don’t last forever. There is limited space and a limited volume for each in order to prevent ecological disaster, and once that space has been completely utilized, it’s done forever. The Wasatch Integrated Waste Management District (WIWMD) and Davis Landfill are doing their part to not only extend the life of the landfill itself but also increase sustainability, and recycling and keep costs down for residents.

According to Collette West, Sustainability Specialist at WIWMD, the Davis Landfill has a maximum of 20 years left before a new site will be needed. After that time, the next closest site will be miles away and will increase the cost for residents to deliver their waste significantly out of the way. While there are many things that can be done to extend the life of the landfill, one way which WIWMD has taken very seriously is recycling, and upcycling.

Beyond the recyclables that come immediately to mind, things like cardboard, soda cans, plastic bottles, and so forth, the landfill processes things that many wouldn’t think of. Things like steel, tires, mattresses and box springs, even appliances can all be diverted, and their materials reused instead of languishing in a landfill. It’s a fantastic way to ensure a longer life for products like these, as well as saving much-needed space in the existing landfill.

In addition to the recycling of larger items like these, the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), owned and operated by WIWMD, processes thousands of pounds of material regularly. These are the standard recyclables that come to mind like soda cans, paper, cardboard, different types of plastics and more. “The only way to measure garbage,” said West, “is by weight,” and while recyclables typically weigh less, the contribution is significant. According to West, the MRF diverts 15,000 tons of waste from the landfill each year.

That still isn’t the biggest diversion, however. In 2004, WIWMD started a composting program which, for the past 20 years has contributed significantly to reducing the amount of green waste going into the landfill. Annually, the green waste program, which takes green waste from both commercial and residential sources, diverts about 25,000 tons or more from the landfill, and, as West put it, “takes something that is wasted, and turns it into something that people want to buy,” in this case, high-quality compost, and wood chips.

Piles of compost, meticulously maintained and monitored, get watered as part of the aerobic process. Photo by Braden Nelsen

The process is extremely involved. “There’s a lot of science to compost,” said West. This includes the breaking down of the waste itself (branches, tree clippings, sometimes whole trees and other waste), screening and sifting, and making sure the piles have the right mixture of carbon and nitrogen. Once this is accomplished, the stacks are monitored closely to keep them at a constant 160 degrees Fahrenheit to keep the process aerobic. The rows are watered and screened until the process is fully complete.

Branches and limbs of all sizes that will eventually become wood chips and compost. Photo by Braden Nelsen

What results is a high-quality, nutrient-rich compost that is free of rot, harmful bacteria and weeds, and ready to go into gardens and yards of residents. On top of that, it’s extremely cost-effective, with a much lower cost than garden or home improvement stores. The attention to detail, the intricate process, and labor that go into diverting almost 25,000 tons of waste go to show that WIWMD is serious not just about diverting waste from the landfill, but in doing their part for the environment as well. 

In addition to dropping off green waste at the landfill, what can the average resident do to both help the environment and keep their own costs down? As it currently stands, only seven cities in Davis County that utilize WIWMD have curbside green waste pickup. West says that’s a great place to start, “Call your city and ask for a program,” she says. In addition, there are so many simple things that can be done.

Reducing food waste, limiting single-use products, utilizing curbside recycling bins, and many more “really simple things,” says West, can go a long way to keeping costs down and preserving the environment for future generations. More tips on how to reduce waste and more information on the sustainability efforts at WIWMD can be found at www.wasatchintegrated.org.