Due to the toxic nature of electronic devices and the possibility of ground water contamination, E-waste will no longer be landfilled beginning January 1, 2010. Therefore, the bulky waste sites, processing facility and driveway service WILL NOT accept: TV's, monitors, CPU or tower and laptop/notebook. Residents may recycle these items for free and other e-waste for a charge at Moscow Recycling Center.
Costs prohibit the recycling of alkaline batteries. Please substitute rechargeable batteries.
To encourage recycling Latah County will implement a new drop-off recycling program beginning in 2010. The recycling boxes will be located inside rural city limits and be available 24/7. If the recycling boxes are contaminated the use will be limited to when the bulky wastes sites are opened.
On May 30, 2010 all Bulky Waste Sites will be open for free disposal of tires only for Latah County Residents, no Commercial. Tires must be from passenger vehicles only; no rims, tractor or other large tires. For this event tires may also be taken to Moscow Recycling and they are always accepted at the Transfer Station
The Latah County Solid Waste Ordinance states maintenance and operation of the rural solid waste collection system shall be funded by assessment and collection of a fee imposed upon all premises in Latah County, except those located within the corporate limits of any city.
Under the supervision of the County Commissioners the Solid Waste office sets fees and negotiates contracts with government and private entities. Billing procedures and collection of fees are managed by the Solid Waste Department. We strive to resolve problems incurred by ratepayers with payments or with any of the services included.
Solid waste fees are Mandatory. Fees provide weekly driveway service, access to Moscow Recycling Center, Bulky Waste Sites, Household Hazardous Waste Facility, Solid Waste Processing Facility and the Compost Program. The Latah County Solid Waste Ordinance #229, Section 18, "Unlawful Disposal of Solid Waste" states: "It shall be unlawful for any person in Latah County to bury, dump, collect, remove, throw, discard, deposit or in any other manner dispose of solid waste other than into the Latah County Solid Waste disposal system, without first obtaining a permit therefore under the specific provisions for special permits." (see Special Permits, Section 27, Ordinance #229). Solid Waste exemptions are available in certain situations. Please see billing procedures section for more information.
The Latah County municipal landfill was closed in 1993, due to the Federal Subtitle D regulations adopted in 1991. This regulation stated that in order for Latah County to continuing to use the existing landfill site we would have to accept past, present and future liability. Therefore, the City of Moscow and the Solid Waste Advisory Committee recommended transporting municipal solid waste (MSW) out of Latah County. All MSW is transported to Arlington, Oregon. The local landfill, located at the Solid Waste Processing Facility on Highway 8 is for non municipal solid waste (inert demolition)