I thought the tour would take an hour…three hours later. Wow, there is a lot to know about waste disposal at the Ada County Landfill. It’s more than just a “dump.” Although, this is the scene where most of it is tipped, whether that comes from people hauling things themselves or one of the giant containers from a transfer station.
See the black lining? This landfill cell is carefully managed so it doesn’t leach into groundwater or cause other hazards. There is very little smell. Each section is covered every day.
The older landfill was not environmentally-managed when it began, so remediation continues and odors escape.
Think you smell the landfill where you live? Report the odors online, call, or use the county’s app.
There are several divisions for controlling waste. Let’s start with the household hazardous waste reuse/disposal site, 10300 N. Seaman’s Gulch Rd., Boise, ID (between main office and scales). Dispose of paint, pesticides, old batteries, oil, and most chemicals. It’s free. And items dropped off at the site, or collected through the hazardous waste collection sites in Boise, that are still usable are available for free. “Shop” Fridays and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
All the cleaning supplies you might need.
The shelf for pool and spa chemicals is stuffed.
97-98 percent of the items are reused. I picked up some Miracle-Gro and Simple Green. Others on the tour stocked up for oil changes.
Those systemic garden care products can be $35-$40…or free, if you pick them up.
~Debbie