Map of proposed landfill expansion sites (screenshot from King County website)

Map of proposed landfill expansion sites (screenshot from King County website)

Waste management expert knocks county’s plan to expand landfill

The waste management advocate said the decision to expand seems pre-determined despite assessment.

Waste management experts from the non-profit Institute for Energy and Resource Management are calling King County’s assessment of the Cedar Hills Landfill a “boondoggle,” and a waste of time and money in favor of continuing what they believe is poor policy.

Philipp Schmidt-Pathmann, President and CEO of the Institute for Energy and Resource Management, said King County’s recently completed Environmental Impact Statement for “potential” expansion of the Cedar Hills Landfill is yet another example of the County going through the motions but having the conclusion decided well beforehand.

“If you look at the timetable the County set out months ago, you will see that the last item is ‘Construction of new landfill area within the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill property.’ There was never any question, regardless of public sentiment or scientific findings.” he said.

The Cedar Hills Landfill environmental impact statement comes after a growing consideration for landfill alternatives such a Waste-To-Energy, which some county leaders have recently pushed for.

Schmidt-Pathmann cited EPA studies that suggest landfilling is the “least desirable” waste management technique and he also claims landfilling is more expensive than most people consider because of the hidden and “perpetual” costs.

Schmidt-Pathmann has conducted studies specific to King County’s adoption of an integrated waste management system that does not rely fully on landfilling as it does now. He also led the team that helped Los Angeles adopt a Waste-To-Energy program.

He says landfills are a significant source of methane leaks which are a greenhouse gas negatively impacting climate change conditions. He said landfills in California contribute roughly 40 percent of the state’s methane emissions, more than both livestock and agriculture.

Schmidt-Pathmann has advocated for an Integrated Waste Management System, which utilizes multiple waste management strategies including source reduction and reuse, improved recycling and composting, energy and material recovery from waste streams and better treatment and disposal. He said an integrated waste strategy could be implemented by 2030, could save billions of dollars in the coming decades and would reduce the environmental impacts of our waste system.

“Anyone who cares about the environment and their property tax bill should be concerned about this,” said Schmidt-Pathmann. “It is critical that you contact your County Councilmember and let them know you don’t want any more public money sunk into the ‘landfill liability’ including transfer stations. There is a better – and cheaper – solution.”




Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Courtesy Photo, Kent Police
Kent City Council considers sales tax hike to hire more police

Council could approve measure without going to voters; hike would be 10 cents on every $100 purchase

t
Kent father, 26, killed in shooting June 16 on East Hill

Family identifies Leroy Tinoga, married father of two young children

King County’s Patricia Clark Children and Family Justice Center in Seattle, where juveniles facing criminal charges are detained. COURTESY PHOTO, King County
Man, juvenile face murder charges in Kent student’s death

Kent-Meridian High student fatally shot in June 2024 during drug deal at Campus Park

t
Signs at Reith Road roundabouts in Kent take a beating

Drivers knocking down directional and yield signs at two new roundabouts

t
Kent woman faces vehicular homicide charge in March crash

Wajiha Din also faces vehicular assault in collision that killed Jose Ortiz and injured his wife

Courtesy Photo
Kent man, 63, charged with robbing Auburn bank

The suspect wore no mask, but donned an orange safety vest.

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Man fatally shot on East Hill in Kent; found inside vehicle

Incident Monday afternoon, June 16 in area of SE 240th Street and 108th Avenue SE

t
People ‘fed up’ with Trump administration protest in Covington | Photos

Estimated crowd of 1,500 lines main street in town June 14 with signs and chants

t
Kent firefighters fight three fires in three days | Photos

Puget Sound Fire responds June 10-12 to camper, house and apartment fires; no injuries

Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. FILE PHOTO, Kent Reporter
Man receives 10-year sentence for Kent parking lot killing

Fatally shot man in 2023 after he approached vehicle with baseball bat as part of ongoing feud

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Kent Police Blotter: May 26 to June 8

Incidents include domestic violence, store robbery, vehicle pursuit, copper wire theft

Washington State STEM Signing Day 2025 honorees in a group photo at a celebration event on June 6, at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center (VMAC) in Renton. Courtesy photo.
Select Kent seniors, grads honored on STEM Signing Day

Two Kentridge High students, one Kent-Meridian student receive recognition