Leachate Disposal Costs Blamed for Merrick Landfill Tipping Fee Increase - North Bay

The tipping fees for industrial, commercial and institutional uses at the Merrick Landfill site are going up again.  In terms of the prices charged in other nations, these charges are still very low, however, in this US town, it is an issue. In fact the city is proposing to lift the tipping fee to $78 per metric tonne, from the current fee of $75, with effect from June 1, 2012.

A staff report presented to council Monday says fees for waste management purposes cannot exceed the cost of providing the service. The report, however, does say rates can be set based on costs for the entire waste management program.

Increased landfill costs this year are primarily due to higher contractor expenses and rising costs associated with costs associated with leachate treatment.

Tipping fees were originally established in 1990 and have gradually increased over time. Last year, the rate went from $71 to $75 per metric tonne.

A cost comparison included in the report shows North Bay’s proposed fee will be higher than those in Timmins, Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie, where the price ranges from $63 to $70 per metric tonne, and lower than those in Peterborough, Orillia and Barrie, where the price ranges from $90 to $125 per metric tonne.

The report says the increase is justified when long-term operating, maintenance and capital costs are considered. Last year, the city completed a cell expansion project at the landfill and is expected to finish installing infrastructure at the site this spring to capture and convert methane gas into electricity. In addition, the city is now designing a leachate treatment system for the landfill.

The report says the city will see $30,000 in increased annual revenue for every dollar tipping fees are hiked.

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