Solid Waste

Petrolia Container Site image 003
Residents of Gaberville Receiving Vouchers for Free Waste Drop off 2
Tires Collected at Orleans Dump Day Event Earth Day 2024
Residents of Gaberville Receiving Vouchers for Free Waste Drop off
Orleans Dump Day Event Earth Day 2024
Residents of Gaberville Receiving Vouchers for Free Waste Drop off 2
Image does not exist
 

Welcome! to the Humboldt County Public Works - Solid Waste Division


At the forefront of environmental stewardship, our division is committed to leading Humboldt County towards a sustainable future by managing waste in a responsible, innovative, and environmentally sound manner. We adhere to a multifaceted approach that encompasses not just the collection and disposal of waste, but also a strong emphasis on reducing waste at its source, recycling, and promoting community engagement.

Our commitment to our communities is guided by The California state law, The County Solid Waste Management Ordinances and our local needs, we provide essential waste management services as part of a comprehensive integrated waste management plan. 

Our strategic objectives include:

Zero Waste Ambition: Propel Humboldt County towards zero waste by enhancing recycling programs, reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills, and maximizing the reuse of materials.

Community Involvement and Education: Foster a culture of environmental consciousness by engaging residents through educational campaigns, school programs, and community workshops. Our goal is to empower every individual in the county to participate in and advocate for sustainable waste practices.

Regulatory Compliance and Leadership: Ensure all operations not only comply with but exceed state and federal regulations. We aim to be a model in implementing innovative waste management policies and practices.

Sustainable Infrastructure Development: Invest in and develop state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure that support advanced waste processing techniques, including composting, recycling, and recovery of energy from waste materials.

Edible Food Recovery: Expand and enhance programs that recover safe, edible food that would otherwise be wasted and redirect it to those in need, reducing hunger and environmental impact simultaneously.

Innovation in Waste Reduction: Explore and adopt cutting-edge technologies and methods that promote waste reduction at the source, improve recycling rates, and encourage the sustainable consumption of resources.

Environmental Protection Initiatives: Organize special waste collection events for hazardous and special wastes and promote safe disposal practices to protect the environment and public health.


Responsibilities


Integrated Waste Management: 

  • Implementing strategies for waste reduction, recycling, and the safe disposal of non-recyclable materials.

Franchise Partnerships: 

  • Administering waste collection efficiently through exclusive franchise agreements, partnering with respected local companies to serve all areas of our county.

Environmental Protection: 

  • State law also requires the county to continue monitoring its closed landfills, and to ensure the existence of a minimum of fifteen years of remaining capacity for waste disposal. The county is a member of the Humboldt Waste Management Authority's (HWMA) Joint Powers Authority which performs the requirement.

Community Leadership: 

  • Engaging the public through educational initiatives, outreach programs, and partnerships to promote recycling and waste reduction. Our efforts extend to special programs for edible food recovery, contributing to food security and waste reduction.

Innovative Practices:

  • Advancing sustainable technologies and practices in waste management, supporting initiatives like community composting and renewable energy projects derived from waste.

Resource Management: 

  • Managment of franchise agreements and other Solid waste related contracts to ensure fiscal responsibility and operational efficiency. 
  • Funding our operations through solid waste franchise fees and other Solid Waste management fees collected by the HWMA and passed through to the county.  


How Do I Confirm Which Recyclables Are Collected Curbside?





Humboldt County-Unincorporated Solid Waste Franchise Agreements

The Solid Waste division provides funding for administration of franchise contracts and container site contracts with private companies consisting of:   

The county's franchised waste haulers perform solid waste and recycling collection services in the unincorporated areas of the county. Please contact the waste haulers directly to sign up for trash and/or recycling service.  

By embracing these responsibilities, we aim to transform waste management from a routine service into a dynamic resource for environmental conservation and community well-being. 

Join us in making Humboldt County a model of sustainability and an exemplar of proactive environmental management.

To view the county's Solid Waste Franchise Agreements, please click on the appropriate tab below.

  1. Recology Southern Humboldt Area
  2. Humboldt Sanitation
  3. Tom's Trash

Recology Northern Humboldt Area Franchise Agreements and Amendments

  1. EOC A_R Franchise Agreement 4-26-11 (PDF)
  2. EOC Amd 14 Consolidation to Recology Eureka Area SWC Franchise Agreement (Consolidated) Partial Executed RM 6-28 (PDF)
  3. EOC Amd 15 _ 7-1-22 (PDF)
  4. EOC Amdt 1 _ 7-1-11 (PDF)
  5. EOC Amdt 10 _7-1-18 (PDF)
  6. EOC Amdt 11 _9-1-18 (PDF)
  7. EOC Amdt 12 _7-1-19 (PDF)
  8. EOC Amdt 13 _7-1-20 (PDF)
  9. EOC Amdt 2 _1-10-12_retro to 7-1-11 (PDF)
  10. EOC Amdt 3_ 7-1-12 (PDF)
  11. EOC Amdt 4 _7-1-13 (PDF)
  12. EOC Amdt 5 _7-1-14 (PDF)
  13. EOC Amdt 6 _10-1-14 (PDF)
  14. EOC Amdt 7 _7-1-15 (PDF)
  15. EOC Amdt 8 _7-1-16 (PDF)
  16. EOC Amdt 9 _7-1-17 (PDF)

Humboldt County Solid Waste Local Task Force

The Humboldt County Integrated Solid Waste Management Local Task Force (Local Task Force) was established to assist in the integrated management of solid waste as required by the California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989 (AB 939). It is comprised of eight members, one member of each jurisdiction within Humboldt County and meets on the fourth Monday of January, April, July and October from 11 a.m. to  2:30 p.m.

Purpose

The purpose of the Solid Waste Task Force is to:

  • Assist in coordinating the review, revision and implementation of county and city source reduction and recycling elements, household hazardous waste elements and non-disposal facility elements;
  • Review the countywide siting element;
  • Ensure a coordinated and cost-effective regional integrated system for the management of waste by identifying new and ongoing solid waste management issues of county-wide or regional concern, assisting, advising and facilitating the development of solid waste collection systems, processing facilities and marketing arrangements that can serve more than one local jurisdiction within the region, and to the extent possible, facilitating resolution of conflicts and inconsistencies between or among city and county source reduction and recycling elements, household hazardous waste elements and non-disposal facility elements.
  • Develop goals, policies and procedures which are consistent with the guidelines and regulations adopted by the CalRecycle to guide the development of the countywide integrated waste management plan.
  • Review and comment, as required by the Local Enforcement Agency and CalRecycle, on proposed actions, programs and facilities which affect the management of solid waste and diverted materials in Humboldt County.
  •  Provide a forum for the public discussion of solid waste management, waste reduction and recycling issues. 
  •  Provide advice and other advisory tasks as requested by the jurisdictions of Humboldt County.
  1. Local Task Force Meeting Minutes

January 23, 2023 LTF Meeting Agenda

  1. January 23 2023 SWLTF Agenda (PDF)

LTF Meeting Agendas

  1. 12.16.20 SWLTF Agenda (PDF)
  2. 18-10-15_HCLTF Agenda (PDF)
  3. 18-7-16_HCLTF Agenda (PDF)
  4. 19-07-11_HCLTF Agenda (PDF)
  5. 19-10-10_HCLTF Agenda (PDF)
  6. 20-1-9_SWLTF Agenda (PDF)
  7. April 25 2022 SWLTF Agenda (PDF)
  8. August 30 2021 SWLTF Agenda (PDF)
  9. Final 10.24.22 LTF Agenda Packet (PDF)
  10. Jan 31 2022 SWLTF Agenda (PDF)
  11. July 25 2022 SWLTF Agenda (PDF)
  12. July 6 2021 SWLTF Agenda (PDF)
  13. Nov 1 2021 SWLTF Agenda (PDF)
  14. October 12 2020 SWLTF Agenda (PDF)
  15. October 24 2022 SWLTF Agenda (PDF)

Table Bluff Landfill and Redway Transfer Station

The Solid Waste Division also provides for continued maintenance and testing of the closed Table Bluff Landfill, as well as maintenance of the Redway Transfer Station facilities. Net revenues are transferred to a trust fund to support future road and bridge repair and maintenance at the Redway Transfer Station as required by the 20-year Ground Lease Agreement with the State of California which terminates on March 31, 2030. 

Solid Waste provides for management of the Table Bluff closed landfill located near Loleta. The site was used for waste disposal starting in the 1930s and was formally closed in 1979. The site is equipped with a leachate collection and treatment system, and is regulated by state agencies and the county's Environmental Health Division. The Table Bluff closed landfill is subject to operation and maintenance requirements in perpetuity.