Solid Waste

Responsibilities

California State law requires counties to provide for solid waste services as part of an integrated waste management plan which includes waste reduction and recycling as well as safe disposal of non-recyclable waste.

The Department contracts for waste collection through exclusive franchise agreements as authorized by the California Public Resources Code § 49200-49205.

State law also requires the County to continue monitoring its closed landfills, and to ensure the existence of a minimum of fifteen years of remaining capacity for waste disposal – Humboldt Waste Management Authority (HWMA).

The County is a member of the HWMA’s Joint Powers Authority which performs the requirement.

Expenditures for this division are paid for primarily through Solid Waste Franchise fees and fees collected by the HWMA and passed through to the County. 

The Solid Waste budget unit provides funding for administration of franchise contracts and container site contracts with private companies consisting of:   

The county's franchised waste haulers perform solid waste and recycling collection services in the unincorporated areas of the County. Please contact the waste haulers directly to sign up for trash and/or recycling service.  

To view the County's Solid Waste Franchise Agreements, please click on the appropriate tab below.

  1. Recology Northern Humboldt Area
  2. Recology Southern Humboldt Area
  3. Humboldt Sanitation
  4. Tom's Trash

Humboldt County Solid Waste Local Task Force

The Humboldt County Integrated Solid Waste Management Local Task Force ("Local Task Force") was established to assist in the integrated management of solid waste as required by the California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989 (AB 939). It is comprised of eight members, one member of each jurisdiction within Humboldt County and meets on the 4th Monday of January, April, July, and October from 11am-12:30pm.

The purpose of the Solid Waste Task Force is to:

  • Assist in coordinating the review, revision and implementation of county and city source reduction and recycling elements, household hazardous waste elements, and non-disposal facility elements;
  • Review the county-wide siting element;
  • Ensure a coordinated and cost-effective regional integrated system for the management of waste by: 

                    - Identifying new and ongoing solid waste management issues of county-wide or regional concern.

                    - Assisting, advising, and facilitating the development of solid waste collection systems, processing facilities, and                                       marketing arrangements that can serve more than one local jurisdiction within the region. 

                    - To the extent possible, facilitating resolution of conflicts and inconsistencies between or among city and county                                         source reduction and recycling elements, household hazardous waste elements, and non-disposal facility                                                 elements.

  • Develop goals, policies and procedures which are consistent with the guidelines and regulations adopted by the CalRecycle to guide the development of the county-wide integrated waste management plan.
  • Review and comment, as required by the Local Enforcement Agency and CalRecycle, on proposed actions, programs and facilities which affect the management of solid waste and diverted materials in Humboldt County.
  •  Provide a forum for the public discussion of solid waste management, waste reduction, and recycling issues. 
  •  Provide advice and other advisory tasks as requested by the jurisdictions of Humboldt County.
  1. Local Task Force Meeting Agendas
  2. Local Task Force Meeting Minutes

Table Bluff Landfill

The Solid Waste budget unit also provides for continued maintenance and testing of the closed Table Bluff Landfill, as well as maintenance of the Redway Transfer Station facilities.  Net revenues are transferred to a trust fund to support future road and bridge repair and maintenance at the Redway Transfer Station as required by the 20-year Ground Lease Agreement with the State of California which terminates on March 31, 2030. 

Solid Waste provides for management of the Table Bluff Closed Landfill located near Loleta. The site was used for waste disposal starting in the 1930s and was formally closed in 1979. The site is equipped with a leachate collection and treatment system, and is regulated by state agencies and the County Environmental Health Division. The Table Bluff closed landfill is subject to operation and maintenance requirements in perpetuity.