New Disposal Fees Take Effect January 1st in Tompkins County

It will cost more to dispose of garbage in Tompkins County next year.

Effective January 1st, 2019 the tipping fee at the county’s Recycling and Solid Waste Center will be $90 per ton, up from $85/ton. There will also be changes in the three flat rate tiers for licensed solid waste permit holders.

Disposal coupons for vehicle loads of trash will see a small increase in cost. Category 1 coupons for typical two and four-door sedans will be $10, and Category 2 coupons for SUVs, minivans and wagons will cost $15. There will be no change in the $12 punch cards for up to five (5) individual bags or cans of trash.

Since only the new coupons will be accepted after the first of the year, residents will need to exchange any unused old coupons. The exchange can only take place at the Department of Recycling and Materials Management office, 122 Commercial Ave., Ithaca:

·        One unused $8 coupon plus $2 can be exchanged for a new $10 coupon

·        One unused $14 coupon plus $1 can be exchanged for a new $15 coupon

Other price changes taking effect January 1st include a $1 increase in tire disposal, to $3 per tire (less than 10 per visit), and customers will no longer be able to use a punch on a punch card for a tire. Recycling bins sold at the Department of Recycling and Materials Management will be $10 and $14 for the 18-gallon and 22-gallon bins, respectively.

For more information, visit www.recycletompkins.org or call the TCRMM office at 273-6632.