Aggregate Recovery

With no diversion practices at all, the landfill would be full and ready for permanent closure in about 7 years. The landfill would be ready for permanent closure in 12-15 years with only the recycling and compost diversion programs. With the addition of aggregate recovery at the Pitkin County Solid Waste Center in 2002, the landfill is expected to be able to remain open for an additional 15-20 years. Much of the material brought to the landfill is usable in some way. The aggregate recovery program offers products for sale to the public which are processed from incoming rock and dirt. Road base produced at the Solid Waste Center is very high quality and has passed CDOT specifications for structural stability, gradation, and contamination. The products have been used in CDOT certified projects including the Snowmass Canyon Highway 82 expansion. Reuse saves natural resources including landfill space.

Buying these products helps local economies, protects resources, and closes the recycling loop.