Sustainable Waste Management

As New Hampshire grapples with dwindling landfill capacity alongside rising waste generation, it is critical to explore sustainable waste management strategies that emphasize solid waste reduction, practical and environmental management, while protecting economic profitability. This report examines current solid waste practices in New Hampshire and provides recommendations based on successful approaches in Vermont, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Oregon.
New Hampshire's landfills are rapidly nearing capacity, with the state's disposal needs projected to exceed total landfill space as early as 2034 if suitable action is not taken. Further, nearly half the waste deposited at New Hampshire landfills and waste management facilities come from out-of-state sources. While the Commerce Clause in the U.S. Constitution limits outright bans on imported waste, strategies like increased tipping fees, expanded recycling programs, emissions monitoring, and community education offer potential solutions.

An examination of comparison states shows that Vermont has implemented more centralized solid waste policies like bottle redemption, mandatory composting and recycling programs, and extended producer responsibility laws that shift waste management costs upstream. Virginia and Pennsylvania demonstrate how tipping fees for waste disposal can generate revenue that can be reinvested in environmental programs while disincentivizing some waste imports. Oregon state law allows municipalities flexibility in meeting recycling targets and the manners by which they do so, while Marion County specifically showcases an integrated waste management approach centered around its waste-to-energy facility.
By learning from the successes of other states while tailoring solutions to its unique and ever-evolving situation, New Hampshire can forge a path toward sustainable solid waste management that reduces environmental impact while striving to protect profitability.