2024-019 Landfill Wait Times June 7, 2024 Report No. 2024-19
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
An Evaluation of Wait Times at the City of Denton Landfill
BACKGROUND:
Since 1984, the Solid Waste and Recycling (SWR)Department has operated the City of Denton
Landfill (the landfill), as a regional facility, to manage waste in a manner that complies with our
State operational permit, is fiscally responsible, and is protective of the environment. The landfill
processes approximately 650 transactions accounting for 1,500 tons of material received daily. On
average, a landfill customer will spend approximately 41 minutes in the facility, from when they
check in at the scale house until they depart the landfill.
This report aims to evaluate wait times, provide an update on metrics management, and
communicate planned updates to the facility intended to make the landfill experience safer and
quicker.
DISCUSSION:
The Landfill operates as a regional facility, accepting Type I municipal solid waste, green waste,
and construction and demolition debris from residents, regional haulers, and businesses. In FY
22-23,the landfill accepted 3 57,3 69 tons of material for disposal,and the green waste was accepted
as DynoDirt Feedstock. Given the volume of material and number of vehicles serviced daily, in
addition to the requirements listed in our State Operational Permit (MSW1590B) extended wait
times may be encountered.
The Landfill is open to accept waste Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Our busiest
operational day is Monday. The landfill services mostly residential customers on Saturday. On
average, the busiest times at the landfill are 7 to 9 a.m., through lunchtime, and 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Other events that affect the volume of landfill traffic include, but are not limited to, time of year,
rain, disaster debris management, disposal location within the permitted landfill cells, and how
quickly individuals can unload their vehicles.
Permit MSW 1590B limits the size of the active working face/disposal area at the landfill. While
landfill staff has bifurcated the queue, traffic volume has exacerbated disposal wait times. In
February 2023, the landfill opened a Public Disposal Facility, which separated residential traffic
from commercial traffic and sent them to a smaller, safer site to unload their material. This change
has reduced residential customer wait times by approximately 13 minutes in the facility.
The Landfill will upgrade onsite scales,technology,and traffic patterns to address potentially long
queues for access to the facility. This project will involve constructing a temporary scale house
facility, demolishing existing pit scales, refurbishing the existing scale house building, installing
modern bridge scales, and upgrading onsite technology. In addition to making the facility safer for
June 7, 2024 Report No. 2024-19
customers, the improvements should allow staff to process customers into and out of the facility
quicker and minimize the need to exit a vehicle to complete transactions. Construction is
anticipated to begin in Q4 of 2024 and be complete within 6 months.While we anticipate increased
traffic and wait times during the replacement of the scale house, SWR plans to complete outreach,
which includes mailing collateral to existing customers, providing on-the-spot education and
information to customers on-site, and coordinating with marketing and communications to share
information on City social media channels,and the City's website;30-45 days in advance to inform
potential customers of the inconvenience.
Over the next few months, SWR will provide an update on internal wait times as well as develop
monitoring for the queue to access the facility. Operational improvements and events that may
have increased congestion at the facility will be highlighted.
STAFF CONTACT:
Brian Boerner, CPM, CHMM
Solid Waste Director
Brian.Boemer@cityofdenton.com
(940) 349-8001
REOUESTOR: Staff Initiated
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT: 1 hour
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS: Solid Waste and Recycling