Chartwell Research Update

June 2006

Chartwell Releases Results of

Most Recent MSW Landfill Price Surveys

The Chartwell Solid Waste Group (www.wasteinfo.com) has released an updated analysis on pricing of land disposal tipping charges in the United States. The analysis is based on recent surveys of over 900 public and private solid waste facilities in all fifty states.

The survey reaffirms previous Chartwell research indicating that so-called “gate rates” vary considerably between metropolitan and urban areas within individual states. Gates rates are the fees charged to the general public when it uses a specific facility. Commercial collection services will typically receive a significant discount from the gate rate as large volume customers. Chartwell research indicates that the nationwide median gate rate price amongst all landfills is about $35 per ton for MSW.

“Our survey’s findings reaffirm our past research that solid waste management pricing varies considerably based on local, regional, and state market factors,” said Chartwell Managing Director Jay Busbee. "The national median tipping fee is a largely symbolic statistic that often has little resemblance to the fees charged in a given region or state. To realistically examine solid waste markets, one must take a closer look at the local, state, and regional fees."

The price survey is part of a series of ongoing research efforts undertaken by the Chartwell Solid Waste Group as part of its Solid Waste Digest research services on the solid waste management sector. Approximately 300 nonhazardous solid waste facilities are surveyed each month. Further information on the Chartwell Solid Waste Digest is available at www.wasteinfo.com or by calling 952-831-2473.