In a comprehensive report, a study committee under HB617, ch 265 reports on the state of solid waste management in New Hampshire. The report reviews the history of solid waste disposal in NH, current capacity and status of facilities, various possibilities for paths forward, and study methodology.
In summary:
“Based on testimony and research, the committee found that our state’s solid waste management planning and education efforts have fallen far behind that of our neighboring states and nationally, primarily due to deep budget cuts at the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services’ Solid Waste Management Bureau. The inability of resource-strapped DES to adequately perform its long-range planning and related responsibilities has left our state in a difficult predicament (some have termed it a developing waste emergency), born primarily by our municipalities and property taxpayers, as global recyclable markets roil, prices for recyclables fall, our solid waste disposal tonnage increases, our landfills fill and we continue to produce untold, arguably inexcusable, amounts of waste that is increasingly difficult and expensive to handle. Our state must adjust its laws and programs to reflect the new economic, environmental and public health realities of solid waste management. This will take commitment, foresight, collaboration and funding.
The study committee hopes the following findings and recommendations spotlight both the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead, enabling the state to do a better job in the future. Testimony submitted to the committee and related materials can be found at the committee’s NH General Court website here.”