Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 What is the history leading up to the Waste Generation Fee?

In the late 1980s, in response to diminishing regional landfill space, the impending closure of its own landfill, and new Pennsylvania solid waste planning requirements, Montgomery County led the successful effort to site a state-of-the-art Resource Recovery Facility (RRF) in eastern Montgomery County. (Revenues resulting from the sale of electricity generated by the RRF reduce the cost of trash disposal to users.)

As a result, 22 municipalities entered into agreements with the County and the Waste System Authority of Eastern Montgomery County (the Authority) to ensure delivery of all municipal solid waste generated within their borders to the Authority's waste system consisting of the Abington and Lower Merion transfer stations and the Resource Recovery Facility located in Plymouth Township. Each municipality adopted an ordinance to enforce this obligation.

Subsequently, similar flow control ordinances elsewhere in the United States were successfully challenged in the Federal court system and the Authority was forced to find other means to maintain waste flows to the system. In 1997 and 1998 the Authority relied on hauler contracts and commercial waste subsidies borne by residents of the participating municipalities and the Authority to help municipalities meet their waste delivery commitments.

Realizing a more equitable, long-term solution was needed, the Montgomery County Commissioners convened a Blue Ribbon Panel to study the issue. After five intensive months of work, the panel, comprised of municipal officials, waste haulers and other interests, recommended a Waste Generation Fee (WGF) System. Without the guaranteed revenue stream and waste deliveries provided by the WGF, the Blue Ribbon Panel determined that the member municipalities would be exposed to significant financial and legal risks. As a result, the Authority has adopted and the County Commissioners have endorsed a WGF system. 

What is the Waste Generation Fee (WGF) and who will pay the fee?

What is the "tipping" or waste disposal fee in 2008?

The total per ton or "tipping" fee will be $67.00.

Prior to 1999 this waste disposal or "tipping fee" had been paid to the waste hauler as part of the overall waste collection and disposal bill. Under the WGF system, the waste disposal portion of the bill will go to the Authority. Your hauler should charge you for the pickup and delivery of your waste to the system, but the Authority will no longer charge the hauler a tipping fee to dispose of waste at the plant, because you are paying for disposal through the waste generation fee.

What will this mean to the average homeowner?

Single family dwellings include detached houses, connected houses, townhouses and multi-level condominiums.

For 2007 - 2008, single family dwellings will be charged based on the 1.637 tons of waste generated per household.  For 2008, the single family Waste Generation Fee is $23.00. The Authority will also charge a modest processing fee to residents and businesses in a municipality which has decided not to put the WGF on local tax bills to cover its costs.

What will the WGF be for multi-family dwellings?

The Authority has defined multi-family dwellings as townhomes, condominiums, duplexes, triplexes, etc. The Authority's Waste Generation Study has determined that the average multi-family dwelling generates 0.872 tons per year.  For 2008, the multi-family dwelling unit Waste Generation Fee is $12.00 per unit.

What will the WGF be for non-residential property owners?

Non-residential property owners (businesses and non-profit organizations) will be placed into one of eight waste generation categories and will be billed based on a formula factoring in the waste generation rate of the assigned waste generation classification, the size of the activity and the annual per ton tipping fee.

When did this fee take effect?

The fee was effective January 1, 1999. Most property owners will be billed either by the Authority or their municipality in the first quarter of each that calendar year.  If your municipality collects your trash, you will probably not receive the waste generation fee bill.

What if a building is empty all or part of the year ?

The property owner may file an appeal to seek relief in this situation.

What if the business activity changes?

If the business activity charges and the owner believes the structure should be assigned to a different waste generation classification, an appeal may be filed.

Is the fee subject to the discount that property owners receive when they pay their tax bills early?

The Authority offers a 2% discount period on bills issued to non-residential customers and to residential property owners in communities where municipal waste collection is not provided. This discount period will remain in effect for 60 days following the billing date. There will then be a 60 day period in which individuals can pay the face value of the bill.  Then there will be a 10% penalty imposed as a late fee. Municipalities may also offer similar discount periods consistent with their fee payment policies.

Is there any ability to make payments or installments?

Currently there are no provisions for installment payments.

Who will oversee the use of the fees?

Municipalities have been given the option of billing and collecting the WGF. If the municipality chooses not to do so, the Authority will oversee the billing and collection and will assess a processing fee for this contracted billing and collection effort. The Authority will ultimately oversee the use of the fees as part of its prescribed fiscal responsibilities.

What happens if I don't pay?

Under the Municipalities Authorities Act of 1945, the Authority has the power to and will be responsible for enforcing collection, including, if necessary, placing a lien on both residential and non-residential properties.

Will the fee increase in the future?

Although the Authority is committed to efforts to contain costs, the WGF is likely to increase due primarily to the escalating costs of plant operation and finance charges.

How long will the fee be in effect?

The service agreement with the plant owner, Montenay, runs through the year 2014. The WGF is anticipated to be in effect at least through that time.