- Home
- Government
- Departments
- Public Works
- Integrated Solid Waste & Recycling
- Taming the Wild Waste
- Project History & Funding
Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more.
Teton County Integrated Solid Waste and Recycling deals with a I the stuff this community no longer wants. From around 1960 until 1989, all of Teton County's waste was deposited in the Horsethief Canyon Landfill. As the population expanded, the landfill could no longer meet the community's solid waste needs.
Landfilling operations ceased at Horsethief Canyon in 1989 and a trash transfer station was built to facilitate waste removal to a landfill outside of Teton County. Even though waste has not been buried in the old landfill since 1989, groundwater contamination has recently been discovered at the site. To remediate this problem, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is requiring Teton County to construct an improved landfill cap. In addition, needed improvements to the solid waste facilities will allow for increased safety, user convenience, recycling and composting.
To cover costs, local elected officials voted to place the landfill project on the November 6 ballot for Specific purpose Excise Tax (SPET) funds.
SPET is a tax of one penny on every dollar spent by residents and visitors in Teton County and the Town of Jackson. If passed by voters, this existing component of sales tax would not increase it would remain what it is today.
Of the 80 million pounds of solid waste generated each year in Teton County, 34% is recycled or composted. This project Will not only improve groundwater quality; it will also result in improved facilities, greater efficiencies and increased recycling and composting opportunities.