SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): Summit County officials are seeking public feedback on local waste management services as part of efforts to update the 2018 Solid Waste Master Plan and extend the operational lifespan of the Three Mile Landfill by at least 10 years.

Solid Waste Superintendent Tim Loveday said the master plan guides department operations and is typically updated every decade, with interim revisions at the five-year mark to reflect technological advances and changing partnerships. This year’s amendments focus primarily on preserving landfill capacity.

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“We recently built a new cell with a projected usable life of about 17 years,” Loveday said. “Based on current waste projections, total landfill buildout will take us to 2053. After that, we would have no place to dispose of garbage.”

Loveday noted that constructing a new landfill in Summit County is unlikely due to environmental concerns. Transporting waste to other counties could double disposal costs, making landfill life extension a priority.

The county surveyed 626 residents to better understand disposal habits and identify service improvements that could divert more material from the landfill. About 60% responded, with convenience emerging as the dominant theme.

Officials plan to use the feedback to shape new waste reduction strategies, expand diversion programs, and promote sustainable waste management across the county.