Arnaudville — Officials of St. Landry Parish’s public landfill operation presented the Board of Aldermen last week with plans to expand the operation. Peter Olivier, a representative of the St. Landry Solid Waste Commission, and Katry Martin, the commission’s executive director, said they were there to ask for input on the proposal for St. Landry Parish to take in more waste from outside the parish.

The operation of the Beggs facility provides significant income for municipalities in the area, with Arnaudville receiving $20,000 last year. With the increase in waste from outside the parish, proceeds to the parish and municipalities would increase accordingly. The facility retains 15% of all proceeds for operating costs and the remaining funds are evenly split between St. Landry Parish and towns within the parish.

The capacity of this facility is not expected to reach its capacity until 2034.

Martin stated that the Solid Waste Commission is in good standing with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), which was confirmed by Alderman Annette Guidry, who had recently visited the site.

During the discussion, Alderman Ricky LaGrange asked how many more parishes would be added to the list of locations able to dispose of waste at the facility. Martin responded that currently three parishes are using the facility, but no more than a total of five would be allowed to enter into contracts with the commission. He added that the landfill has been operating successfully for 22 years and that it was designed at its current size to operate for an additional 25-30 years.

“It is well-designed and safe,” he said.

On a daily basis, the facility receives 200-250 tons of solid waste per day. Additional waste will not increase costs substantially and all refuse is put through an integrated approach to solid waste management — over four million pounds have been recycled. Wood waste is chipped and recycled and “white goods” (washing machines, refrigerators) are taken out of the waste stream.

Alderman “Doc” Broussard commented on how well-kept the site is and asked if there is any way to capture and use the gas created by the landfill. Olivier responded that the commission is in the midst of a study as to how to trap and utilize the gas.

“I’m a strong advocate of recycling and I hope we can trap enough gas to operate the facility and perhaps eventually sell gas,” Olivier said.

Since 1999 Arnaudville has received $110,000 from its share of the landfill’s proceeds, including $2,000 for asbestos abatement. The commission will continue to control the amount and type of waste taken in at the landfill.