Since a contractual resolve between the county and waste management company MRR Southern ended a proposed landfill in Nesmith, the county has been working with a consulting firm in an effort to move forward with the issue. The county is facing closure of its Salters landfill by 2011 but must have 50 percent of the landfill closed by March 28, 2010. The Bryant Company, a consulting firm headed by Douglas Bryant, was hired in June to assess the county’s solid waste options.
Bryant presented his findings to council in an October 8, special called meeting. Bryant explained that his purpose was to look at the most economically and environmentally sound manner in which to handle solid waste in Williamsburg County. He added that it is not his purpose to select or offer an answer for the county. “There is no single answer for a county about solid waste,” said Bryant. “It takes economic, political and other considerations when making a decision.”
Bryant’s research resulted in a compilation of 12 options. One option considers signing a long-term agreement with Republic Waste to directly haul the county’s waste to the Lee County Landfill. Disposal cost would be $461,700 ($25.65 per ton) annually with hauling costs of $816,750 annually for a total disposal of $1,278,450.  One disadvantage is that the county will lose control over costs of disposal and be subject to increases in fees.  The county would also have to surrender its permit.
Another option would be to remain with the Lee County landfill agreement but to utilize Williamsburg County trucks and employees. This option eliminates the capital and permitting cost required for construction of a landfill, as well as eliminates the process of locating a landfill within the county.
Forming a regional compact with Georgetown, Horry or both counties was another consideration. The compact would include one or both counties accepting Williamsburg Coun-ty’s solid waste between the landfill closure date in 2011 and the construction of a landfill located in Williamsburg County.
Once the site is open, Horry and Georgetown could dispose of a limited amount of waste at the Williamsburg County landfill and be reimbursed by the two counties for its waste disposal. The disadvantage of this option is the cost and requirement to locate a landfill in Williamsburg County. In addition, some of the waste would have to be transferred to the landfill by other counties in order to make the landfill financially viable.
Other options included alternative technology such as Anaerobic and Aerobic Digestion and ARC, a welder that generates heat to the point of rendering waste into small glass rock. These technologies are either currently being tested or are in use but were not recommended for Williamsburg County because of cost or limited experience with the technology.
Councilmember Sam Drucker asked why Williams-burg County couldn’t utilize the Manning transfer station.  Bryant said Manning’s response was Williamsburg County does not generate enough waste. Drucker countered saying if the county teamed up with another county that would make sense. Bryant agreed with Drucker but repeated the statement that these endeavors would not be cost effective.
There are 18 landfills in the state. Ten landfills are owned by private companies with eight controlled by their municipalities. Sixty percent of solid waste in the state is disposed of at private facilities.  Though Bryant did not include the total cost of closing the Salters landfill, he said that through his discussions with the supervisor, there is funding available for the first phase of closure. Bryant added that he would provide council with the information.
The demonstration of need permit that the county holds is not as valuable as it once was because nearly every county in the state has received approval for increased capacity. The supervisor, on behalf of the county has made a request through DHEC for a reduction in the amount of solid waste available from 2.3 million to 400,000 tons per year. Council did not vote or take action on the options.
Council’s next step will be to receive proposals for the partial closure of the Salters landfill. A pre-proposal conference will be held October 22, at 10 a.m. at the Williamsburg County Complex. Once a bid is accepted, council will be in a position to enter into a contract agreement before Thanksgiving, allowing four months to perform the partial closure.