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Bartholomew County Sanitary Landfill
History
The first mission of the newly formed SWDA was securing a landfill site and closing the Petersville Solid Fill Site. An innovative approach was taken. Property adjacent to the existing Columbus City Garage was rezoned for solid waste activities. A large building (the current City Garage) was built to house a solid waste shredder operation. The intent was to reduce the volume of organic waste via shredding, and to landfill this material on adjacent property. All solid fill would continue to be disposed of at the old Petersville site on CR 500 East. This scheme would be continued until the new landfill, sited along SR 46 east of Petersville, was prepared for use. Unfortunately, the shredder proved a failure. Frequent breakdowns caused the cessation of activities in just a few months.
In 1974 the new Bartholomew County Sanitary Landfill was opened. Operated using contractual services, this facility has served the community well over the last 20 years. Until 1991, no direct disposal fees were charged to users. As a part of the modernization of operations, the landfill was transformed from a tax-based utility to a user-based utility, much like water, sewage, and gas service. Since January 1991, the Bartholomew County Sanitary Landfill has been self supporting. User fees have offered residents the opportunity to control their costs by reducing their waste.
In an effort to curb illegal dumping, the BCSWMD maintained a 500 pound no-fee disposal policy at the landfill (except for tires and special wastes as classified by the State). The weight exemption was changed to 200 lbs on March 1st, 2005.
New Landfill
The last day of operation at the Petersville landfill was January 30th, 1999. The new landfill opened at 811 East 450 South on February 1st 1999. Hours and tipping fees remained the same with the exception of the 500 lb weight exemption, which was changed to 200 lbs in March of 2005.
Expected life span of the 240-acre facility is 40 years or possibly longer with correct waste minimization and recycling efforts.
Many features are available at the new facility such as a residential reuse center, small load drop off area, an education center, a wetlands facility and the Little Red School House Too Teachers Reuse Center.
All rules and waste restrictions remained as they were at the Petersville Landfill.
Historic Tonnages
2010 - 67,049
2009 - 71,202
2008 - 94,357 *June 2008 Historic Flood*
2007 - 76,488
2006 - 71,350
2005 - 74,305
2004 - 66,775
2003 - 70,251
2002 - 66,473
2001 - 65,616
2000 - 72,664
1999 - 73,812
1998 - 79,983
1997 - 76,127
1996 - 76,127
1995 - 70,859
1994 - 77,502
1993 - 77,611
Disposal and recycling at the Bartholomew County Landfill is open to
Bartholomew County Residents only.
Fees
As of January 1, 1998, landfill disposal fees are:
Single loads under 200 lbs. are not charged. (1 load per day)
Loads 200 lbs. and above are charged $27.50/per ton on a pro-rated basis for the entire load.
CFC Appliances (refrigerators, etc.): $20 each
Computers (with associated peripherals): 2 per day at no cost - 3 or more $6 each
Quartered vehicle tires: $47.50/per ton with no weight exemptions.
Whole Tires: Fee structure is as follows;
Light truck and car tires w/o rim - $1.50 per tire
Light truck and car tires with rim - $2.50 per tire
Truck tires (19.5 & up) w/o rim - $7.00 per tire
Truck tires (19.5 & up) with rim - $13.00 per tire
Floaters (wide truck tires) w/o rim - $11.00 per tire
Floaters (wide truck tires) with rim - $18.00 per tire
Farm tractor tire - $25.00 per tire
Special Waste: $47.50/per ton with no weight exemptions.
