Ontario County’s new Local Solid Waste Management Plan outlines a major transition for the region’s waste system — the closure of the county landfill and a shift toward long-term sustainability. The 250-page draft, released this week to the public, lays out a 10-year framework for waste reduction, recycling, and organics recovery as the county prepares for the end of landfill operations in 2028.
Here are five key takeaways from the plan.
1. The landfill era is ending and the county is preparing for that future
The Ontario County Landfill, located in the Town of Seneca, has operated since 1974 and is set to close on December 31, 2028. Currently permitted to accept nearly 3,000 tons of municipal waste per day, the facility receives most of its material from outside the county. Once closed, all non-recoverable waste will have to be transported elsewhere, likely to Monroe or Seneca counties, increasing costs and logistical challenges.
To prepare, the plan proposes a “Residuals Audit and Facility Needs Analysis” to assess whether local transfer stations should be consolidated or expanded, and whether the county’s Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) will continue operating. This study will help guide decisions about long-term hauling, facility siting, and equitable service access for residents.
2. Waste reduction and reuse take priority over disposal
The plan follows New York State’s “Beyond Waste” hierarchy, emphasizing waste prevention, reuse, and recycling over disposal. New initiatives include:
A residential food scrap drop-off pilot and a countywide organics management plan.A Reuse Trail and Repair Café network connecting donation centers and community swap events.Textile recovery and food-waste prevention programs targeting schools and institutions.Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) pilot programs that link disposal costs to the amount of trash produced.
The county’s goal is to reduce disposal volumes significantly by building infrastructure and programs that make waste reduction a daily habit.
3. Organics recovery is central to the county’s sustainability strategy
Food and yard waste make up a large share of Ontario County’s waste stream. The plan calls for creating a comprehensive Organics Management Plan that includes composting, anaerobic digestion, and partnerships with neighboring counties for a centralized regional facility.
It also recommends expanding school and community garden pilots that collect and compost food scraps, which could evolve into a regional network for organics diversion. These programs would help meet the state’s circular economy goals while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
4. Data, education, and enforcement will drive accountability
Ontario County admits that a complete picture of its waste stream doesn’t exist. Private haulers aren’t required to report recycling tonnage, leaving the county without consistent diversion data. The new plan addresses this with:
A public dashboard to track recycling and waste diversion progress.Stronger reporting requirements for haulers and municipalities.A new system for residents to report illegal dumping or contamination.
The county’s Department of Sustainability and Solid Waste Management will lead education efforts, including new school curricula, expanded multilingual outreach, and updates to the “Ontario County Recycles” Alexa app, which helps residents sort materials correctly.
5. Implementation hinges on staffing and financial capacity
Ontario County’s solid waste operations are managed through a long-term public-private partnership with Casella Waste Services. Casella pays host fees that support the county’s Solid Waste Reserve Fund, which in turn finances waste management programs.
However, the plan acknowledges that no staff are solely dedicated to implementing the LSWMP, raising concerns about coordination and oversight. To close that gap, the county intends to assign project leads, strengthen interdepartmental communication, and explore partnerships with other counties and local governments to share resources and expertise.
A regional pivot toward circular waste management
Ontario County’s draft plan marks a turning point for how rural communities handle waste in the absence of a local landfill. By combining regional cooperation, better data, and stronger incentives for waste reduction, the county aims to move from a disposal-driven model to one focused on circular resource recovery. Public feedback will shape the final plan before its adoption later this year, guiding Ontario County’s waste system through the next decade.
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