By Staff
Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle and other cities across Alabama will now pay more to use landfills in the state.
A new $1 per ton fee on items brought to a landfill was signed last week. The surcharge will be added to the waste brought to the landfill with the money going back to the state. The revenue will be split between the general fund, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and a grant program that will encourage recycling.
In signing the bill Gov. Bob Riley said the money will help clean up the state and protect residents against illegal dumps.
For municipalities, however, the new law means higher costs. Hartselle currently takes about 85 tons per week to the county’s landfill. An additional 50 tons a week are taken to the city’s landfill.
The fee will generate about $3.4 million to the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and some $1.9 million each for the Alabama Recycling Fund and Solid Waste Fund, both of which are controlled by ADEM.
Riley said money will fund the cleanup of illegal dumps and fund grants to help cities, counties and non-profit group start or expand recycling programs.