A proposed bill in Missouri would eliminate 20 local solid waste management districts to fund the cleanup of 29 abandoned landfills across Missouri, sparking debate over its potential impact on waste management in the Kansas City region.
Lee’s Summit Solid 91²Ö¿â Superintendent Chris Bussen, who also leads the state’s Solid 91²Ö¿â Advisory Board, testified before the Missouri House Committee on Government Efficiency, expressing skepticism about the bill’s approach to manage grants for solid waste diversion programs from Jefferson City instead of local communities. Bussen highlighted Kansas City’s Solid 91²Ö¿â Management programs that help pay for recycling, household hazardous waste cleanup and staff to connect with local agencies who can help diversion efforts.
Missouri House Bill 2761 aims to allocate $5 million from the state’s solid waste fund to pay for remediation and management of abandoned landfills. It would also increase the tipping fee at landfills and transfer stations to help pay for abandoned landfill management.