Solid Waste

Idaho State Seal

Idaho State Seal

Under the supervision of the County Commissioners the Solid Waste office sets fees and negotiates contracts with government and private entities. Billing procedures and collection of fees are managed by the Solid Waste Department. We strive to resolve problems incurred by ratepayers with payments or with any of the services included.

Solid waste fees are Mandatory. The Latah County Solid Waste Ordinance states maintenance and operation of the rural solid waste collection system shall be funded by assessment and collection of a fee imposed upon all premises in Latah County, except those located within the corporate limits of any city.

Fees provide weekly driveway service, access to Moscow Recycling Center, Bulky Waste Sites, Household Hazardous Waste Facility, Compost Program, Shred Day, Tire Amnesty Day and some services at the Solid Waste Processing Facility.

The Latah County Solid Waste Ordinance #229, Section 18, "Unlawful Disposal of Solid Waste" states: "It shall be unlawful for any person in Latah County to bury, dump, collect, remove, throw, discard, deposit or in any other manner dispose of solid waste other than into the Latah County Solid Waste disposal system, without first obtaining a permit therefore under the specific provisions for special permits." (see Special Permits, Section 27, Ordinance #229). Solid Waste exemptions are available in certain situations. Please see billing procedures section for more information.

The Latah County municipal landfill was closed in 1993, due to the Federal Subtitle D regulations adopted in 1991. This regulation stated that in order for Latah County to continuing to use the existing landfill site we would have to accept past, present and future liability. Therefore, the City of Moscow and the Solid Waste Advisory Committee recommended transporting municipal solid waste (MSW) out of Latah County. All MSW is transported to Arlington, Oregon.

The local landfill, located at the Solid Waste Processing Facility on Highway 8 is for non-municipal (inert demolition) solid waste.