News : Vinton council to discuss impact of higher landfill fees

When the Vinton City Council meets tonight to discuss the increase in the city’s landfill expenses, it will be beginning a discussion that will last throughout 2013 and beyond; a discussion about long-term solid waste management.

Mayor John Watson and City Coordinator Andy Lent were among local leaders who attended the meeting with the Benton County Supervisors on Tuesday. County Engineer Myron Parizek said his department is discussing “end of life” strategies for the current landfill cell, which is estimated to be full in 2017.

During that meeting, Watson said he and other city officials are considering other landfill options.

Another factor likely to be part of Benton County’s long-term solid waste discussion is how soon the Fiberight plant, located a few miles from the landfill, will be able to turn garbage into ethanol. Fiberight has received a $2.9 million grant from the Iowa Power Fund and a $25 million loan from the USDA to develop the facility. Owner Craig Stuart-Paul said the facility will eventually be able to turn even dirty diapers into fuel. Fiberight is currently developing the technology for converting waste at a smaller facility in Virginia, and has said it hopes to develop the Blairstown operation in 2013.

Late in 2012, the USDA approved Fiberight’s recycling plan; the company will separate recyclable from the trash before converting trash into fuel.

But the first discussion, which begins Thursday night for Vinton officials, is how the city will share the increased cost of operating the landfill.