Salina Solid Waste Management Committee Summary
Week of August 15, 2026
Hail storm debris pushes landfill toward record volume
Landfill accumulates 13,000 tons of tree limbs following windstorm
Liability concerns prevent public firewood cutting at landfill
Construction underway for new landfill scale house
Landfill plans new 25-acre construction and demolition section
Zero Waste Initiative diverts 166 tons from local landfill
Lowe's partnership boosts Zero Waste Initiative inventory
E-waste collection program sees steady community turnout
Committee explores new glass recycling drop-off solutions
Hail storm debris pushes landfill toward record volume
SALINA, Kan. — A recent severe hail storm has driven the Salina Municipal Solid Waste Landfill's volume toward a projected record-breaking year, primarily due to an influx of discarded roofing shingles. Officials reported at a recent Saline County Solid Waste Management Committee meeting that the landfill has already taken in 70,000 tons of waste this year, with a projected year-end total of 110,000 tons. The city's previous annual record was 104,000 tons in 2014. Construction and demolition materials currently account for 28 percent of the landfill's total waste, significantly higher than the usual 15 percent to 20 percent average.
Landfill accumulates 13,000 tons of tree limbs following windstorm
SALINA, Kan. — Recent high winds have left the Salina Municipal Solid Waste Landfill grappling with roughly 13,000 tons of tree limbs and brush. City crews alone have hauled more than 4,700 loads — an estimated 6,000 tons — of debris to the site since the storm. Landfill staff are continuously monitoring the facility's burn piles 24 hours a day to manage the large accumulation, smothering the extinguished fires with dirt to prevent the area from turning into a mud pit.
Liability concerns prevent public firewood cutting at landfill
SALINA, Kan. — Despite 13,000 tons of tree limbs sitting at the Salina Municipal Solid Waste Landfill, officials are advising against allowing the public to freely cut firewood on the site. Saline County Solid Waste Management Committee members discussed the potential for diverting the wood by letting residents use chainsaws to harvest the debris. However, landfill management cited significant liability and safety risks, noting that the site lacks the staffing required to safely supervise public chainsaw use.
Construction underway for new landfill scale house
SALINA, Kan. — Construction has officially begun on the Salina Municipal Solid Waste Landfill's new scale house project, with an expected completion date of April 1, 2027. Crews have already cleared trees and are preparing to move power poles to accommodate a new road and entrance on the south side of the property. The project is expected to streamline traffic and reduce bottlenecks at the site, with the old scale's concrete panels slated for eventual recycling.
Landfill plans new 25-acre construction and demolition section
SALINA, Kan. — To manage a surge in construction waste and save on municipal solid waste liner costs, the Salina Municipal Solid Waste Landfill is planning a new 25-acre section dedicated strictly to construction and demolition debris. The area will be developed in five-acre cells. By separating construction and demolition waste from standard residential trash, the landfill can avoid costly liner requirements and extend the lifespan of its highly regulated municipal waste cells.
Zero Waste Initiative diverts 166 tons from local landfill
SALINA, Kan. — The local Zero Waste Initiative Inc. has successfully diverted 166 tons, or 332,000 pounds, of reusable materials from the Salina Municipal Solid Waste Landfill since November. Initiative representatives recently reported rescuing high volumes of commercial items that would otherwise take up landfill space. The organization continues to search for long-term sorting and recycling solutions to handle the consistent influx of goods.
Lowe's partnership boosts Zero Waste Initiative inventory
SALINA, Kan. — A new partnership with the local Lowe's home improvement store is providing the Zero Waste Initiative Inc. with biweekly donations of merchandise. According to initiative organizers, the store delivers about five pallets of goods every two weeks, including items described as surplus or lightly damaged appliances and kitchen cabinets. The donated materials are then sold to the public at discounted rates, keeping usable merchandise out of the Salina Municipal Solid Waste Landfill.
E-waste collection program sees steady community turnout
SALINA, Kan. — Salina's electronic waste collection program has operated steadily in its first four months. Launched in April, the program at the Salina Drive-thru Recycling Center allows residents to drop off a variety of items, including computers, audio and video equipment, and small household appliances. Staff reported that the facility has kept pace with customer drop-offs without experiencing any operational slowdowns or backlogs.
Committee explores new glass recycling drop-off solutions
SALINA, Kan. — The Saline County Solid Waste Management Committee is exploring options for a dedicated glass recycling drop-off site in Salina. To make commercial glass recycling viable, industry partners have expressed interest in providing transportation and dumpsters, provided a proper three-sided steel or concrete bin can be established. Committee members are currently evaluating whether the southeast corner of the Salina Municipal Solid Waste Landfill property could accommodate the bin and necessary loading equipment to make the project a reality.
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