Curbside Recycling 

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Fruit Heights City does not currently offer curbside recycling for household waste, but the City is considering implementing a program in the future. As the Layton Landfill nears capacity, surrounding cities have been asked to divert more household waste from the landfill by implementing recycling programs. Fruit Heights City would earn a discounted rate from the landfill, allowing the City to provide the service at a discounted rate to residents. 

SO, WHY THE DISCUSSION?

Based on growth projections for the area, Wasatch Integrated Waste Management District (WIWMD) reports the Layton Landfill will be full in 10 - 15 years. To help extend the life of the landfill, WIWMD has taken steps to better handle our waste instead of just putting it in the ground. They are encouraging cities and residents to take these steps as well.

WIWMD pays to haul much of the waste that comes from our homes to a landfill more than 100 miles away. In an effort to decrease how much solid waste needs to be hauled away, WIWMD is looking to remove recyclable items from the waste before they are transferred. Initially, WIWMD built a large recycling facility, known as the Davis Material Recovery Facility, with the plan to run all household waste through it - pulling recyclables out and sending the rest to the landfill. The system worked for a few years, but the offtake partners for organics and waste to be used as an alternative fuel couldn't take the material. It made more sense to only process recyclables that had already been pre-sorted from general waste at our homes. Watch video showing Davis sorting and transfer facility.

WIWMD reports a growing and consistent market for recyclables, especially in the U.S. since China stopped taking garbage from America in 2018. WIWMD has consistently been paid for recyclable materials since the Davis Material Recovery Facility opened in 2020. The facility can handle more recyclables than it is receiving, which is why WIWMD is incentivizing cities to implement recycling programs. Cities participating in city-wide recycling programs will receive a discount on the service, allowing cities to offer the service to residents at a lower cost. 

WIWMD also focuses on other solutions besides curbside recycling of our household goods. They offer recycling services for green waste, mattresses, tires, electronics, oil and antifreeze, and most other household hazardous wastes. They also offer a thrift store and a re-use shed. They also offer tips on their website for cutting down food waste.

In 2024, WIWMD received 2,824 tons of total waste from Fruit Heights. Due to the high number of our residents participating in the optional green waste program, 435 tons of green waste were diverted from the landfill and turned into compost and wood chips.

By participating in several efforts, we can extend the life of the landfill, conserve resources through recycling, and help prevent the increase of costs down the road. For these reasons, the Fruit Heights City Council is considering adding a city-wide curbside recycling program, with a cost of $5/month.

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