Video: Landfill Options Could Be Expensive for Columbus

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — When Columbus and Lowndes County residents put tree limbs, old mattresses and other debris on the curb to be picked up, they hardly give a second thought to where it goes.

But they might have to start worrying about it.

A consultant says the city’s current debris landfill only has three years of life left and alternatives need to be found. And those options could be expensive, ranging from $400,000 to $1.5 million the first year.

Raising the level at which the city can pile and cover trash would be the best alternative consultant Steve Cockerham with Neel Shaffer engineers told the council. Any estimated costs associated with that option would be for permitting costs and hauling in additional dirt if it is needed.

Cockerham also suggested six possible sites around the county where the landfill potentially could be moved but setting up the new site and closing out the existing one would cost $1.2 million plus land costs.

Getting out of the business and paying tipping fees would cost about $600,000 a year.

A committee will study whether to try to expand the existing facility or getting permits to raise its elevation, finding an alternative site, or getting out of the landfill business. It also will look at potential ways to extend the life of the landfill and reduce costs such as chipping debris and selling and giving away the product and recycling more products dumped at the site.

A recommendation could come by next spring.

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