FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TIPPING FEES

What are tipping fees?

Tipping fees are the fees paid when trash is dumped into a landfill. Governments impose these charges to recover the costs of operating landfills. The CNMI’s tipping fees at the Puerto Rico Landfill will begin August 14, 2000.

How are tipping fees a part of the CNMI’s solid waste management program?

These fees are part of a long-term program that will: 1) allow the CNMI to help cover the costs of properly managing waste at the Puerto Rico Landfill in the interim before the new landfill is opened in Marpi; 2) bring the CNMI up to strict federal standards for environmental safety when the new Marpi Sanitary Landfill is open and fully operational.

Why are tipping fees being implemented now?

There is presently no cash flow to pay for the maintenance of the Puerto Rico Landfill and, as a result, it has not been run properly in the past. Meanwhile, the CNMI’s waste volume is increasing. The Solid Waste Management Task Force has decided that in order to run the landfill properly, trash must be covered every day to prevent blowing litter, odors, and potential fires. Therefore, fees must be started as soon as possible in order to fund this work and other essential operational costs.

Will everyone have to pay tipping fees?

No. Exemptions are given for small volumes of trash – about three 55-gallon drums or less, one time per week. Clean green wastes (branches and clippings from landscaping) can be dumped for free since they will be chipped and used for mulch. Sand, dirt, and construction debris (broken concrete with no rebar, other metals, plastics or wood in it) can be used as cover material for the landfill, so no fees will be charged for these waste items.

How much will tipping fees cost?

The tipping fees are based on volume. The CNMI utilizes a base rate of $10 per ton while using established international solid waste conversions. The lowest rate charge is $2 for 2 cubic yards. The maximum amount charged is $42 for a 40 cubic yard roll-off container. A rate sheet is available upon request from the Division of Solid Waste staff.

Where do we pay our tipping fees?

Fees up to $10 can be paid in cash at the gate to the Puerto Rico Landfill. Anything more than $10 must be paid by coupon, which should be purchased in advance at the Division of Solid Waste Management within the Department of Public Works. Accounts can be established for commercial haulers who dump ten tons or more per day. Please come to the Division’s office at the Department of Lands & Natural Resources Building in Lower Base.

Will there be a place to weigh solid waste?

At present, the Puerto Rico Landfill has no scale. Fees will be assessed based on volume, by the gate personnel, using international solid waste conversions. In the future, there will be a weigh station in Lower Base at the planned Lower Base Transfer Station, and another at the Marpi Sanitary Landfill. Fees will then be charged by each load’s exact weight.

Are tipping fees absolutely needed?

The fees will be used to cover the cost of dump operations in Puerto Rico and in the future at the Marpi Sanitary Landfill site. While the CNMI has $26 million in CIP funds earmarked for the closure of the Puerto Rico site and the design and construction of the new landfill and the associated equipment, funds are needed to actually operate the landfill on a daily basis and cover such costs as labor, fuel, equipment maintenance, etc.

What will the government do with the fees it collects?

The fees will help pay for things such as maintenance of equipment, fuel, and staffing. Previously we have attempted to pay for these costs through our taxes. Unfortunately, the volume of waste has increased almost threefold over the last six years. The landfill has continuously lacked the needed resources for proper operations. The new tipping fees were authorized by the CNMI Legislature to help the Division of Solid Waste Management begin to recover costs.

Is the rate set by the CNMI for tipping fees a fair amount?

Tipping fees require businesses and people who dump large volumes of trash to pay their fair share. In other words, the more one dumps, the more one pays.
The new tipping fees are actually very low when compared to similar programs in the mainland U.S. and Guam. The CNMI set the rate very low in order for people and businesses to able to afford it. As a comparison, in Guam the fee is $40 per ton while in the CNMI it is only $10.
Tipping fees in the U.S. can reach nearly $100 per ton to properly operate landfills and meet environmental protection standards.

Will tipping fees just cause more illegal dumping?

No, because small volumes can still be dumped at no charge. We hope that everyone will learn to be responsible with their trash in order to take care of our beautiful and fragile environment. Please report illegal dumping to the Division of Environmental Quality at 664-8500.

How do tipping fees encourage more recycling?

In the past there has been very little incentive to recycle because everyone could dump solid wastes for free at the Puerto Rico Landfill. The problem with dumping trash for free is that it does not factor in the enormous cost to our environment. Since most people desire to save money, tipping fees will encourage more people to compact their trash, reduce it, re-use what they can, and recycle.