Order Code RL31051
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
Interstate Shipment of
Municipal Solid Waste:
2001 Update
July 19, 2001
James E. McCarthy
Specialist in Environmental Policy
Resources, Science, and Industry Division
Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress
Interstate Shipment of Municipal Solid Waste:
2001 Update
Summary
This report, which replaces CRS Report RL30409, provides updated information
on interstate shipment of municipal solid waste (MSW). Since the late 1980s,
Congress has considered, but not enacted, numerous bills that would allow states to
impose restrictions on interstate waste shipments, a step the Constitution prohibits in
the absence of congressional authorization. Over this period, there has been a
continuing interest in knowing how much waste is being shipped across state lines for
disposal, and what states might be affected by proposed legislation. This report
provides data useful in addressing these questions.
Total interstate waste shipments continue to rise, due to the closure of older
local landfills and the increasing consolidation of the waste management industry.
Between our year 2000 survey (reporting largely 1998 data) and the current survey
(generally reporting 1999 or 2000 data), reported interstate waste imports have
increased by 3.6 million tons, about 13%. In the last seven years, reported imports
have more than doubled, from 14.5 million tons in 1993 to 32.0 million tons in 2000.
Pennsylvania remains, by far, the largest waste importer. The state received 9.8
million tons of municipal solid waste and 2.5 million tons of other non-hazardous
waste from out of state in 2000, more than 30% of the national total for interstate
shipments. Virginia, the second largest importer, received 60% less than the amount
received by Pennsylvania. Michigan, the third largest importer, imported 2.8 million
tons of MSW in fiscal year 2000, an increase of nearly one million tons over the
previous year. Twenty states had increased imports in the current report – the largest
increases occurring in Pennsylvania and Michigan. In all, eight states reported
imports that exceeded one million tons.
While waste imports increased overall, several states (including Indiana, Kansas,
Mississippi, and New Hampshire) reported sharp declines in waste imports.
New York remains the largest exporter of waste, with New Jersey and Illinois
in second and third place. Exports from New York, already nearly 7 million tons per
year, are expected to grow further because of the closure of New York City’s Fresh
Kills Landfill in March 2001.
Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Total Shipments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
States Reporting Increased Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
States Reporting Decreased Imports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Major Exporters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Net Imports and Exports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
List of Figures
Figure 1. Imports of Municipal Solid Waste, 2000 or latest year, in tons . . . . . . 2
Figure 2. Exports of Municipal Solid Waste, 2000 or latest year, in tons . . . . . . 2
List of Tables
Table 1. Imports of Municipal Solid Waste, 2000 or latest year (in tons) . . . . . . 3
Table 2. Exports of Municipal Solid Waste, 2000 or latest year (in tons) . . . . . . 4
Table 3. Net Imports/Exports of Municipal Solid Waste, 2000 or latest
year (in tons) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Table 4. Amount and Destination of Exported MSW, and Amount and
Sources of Imported MSW, by State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Interstate Shipment of
Municipal Solid Waste: 2001 Update
Introduction
This report provides updated information on interstate shipment of municipal
solid waste. Concerned about increased waste imports, some states have attempted
to regulate this commerce; federal courts, however, have declared these state
restrictions unconstitutional. If states are to have such authority, congressional action
is required.
Since the late 1980s, Congress has considered, but not enacted, numerous bills
that would grant such authority.1 Over this period, there has been a continuing
interest in knowing how much waste is being shipped across state lines for disposal,
and what states might be affected by proposed legislation. This report provides data
useful in addressing these questions. It updates information provided in earlier CRS
reports.2
Not all states require reporting of waste imports, and very few track exports, so
the available data are incomplete and in some cases represent estimates rather than
actual measurements. From what is known, waste shipments appear to be
concentrated among 25-30 states in the Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, and Pacific
Coast regions (Figures 1 and 2). This report presents information gathered through
telephone contacts with solid waste officials in those states, the District of Columbia,
and the Canadian province of Ontario.
Data obtained from these contacts are summarized in Tables 1, 2, and 3, and
Figures 1 and 2. Table 4 presents additional information, including the names and
telephone numbers of state contacts.
1 Legislation on interstate shipment of waste has been introduced in every Congress since the
100th. In the 104th Congress, the Senate passed S. 534. The bill would have granted states
authority to restrict new shipments of municipal solid waste from out of state, if requested by
an affected local government. In the 103rd Congress, both the House and Senate passed
interstate waste legislation (H.R. 4779 and S. 2345), but lack of agreement on common
language prevented enactment. For a discussion of the issues addressed in these bills, see
CRS Report RS20106, Interstate Waste Transport: Legislative Issues.
2 This report replaces Interstate Shipment of Municipal Solid Waste: 2000 Update, CRS
Report RL30409. Earlier reports were Interstate Shipment of Municipal Solid Waste: 1998
Update, CRS Report 98-689; Interstate Shipment of Municipal Solid Waste: 1997 Update,
CRS Report 97-349; Interstate Shipment of Municipal Solid Waste: 1996 Update, CRS
Report 96-712; Interstate Shipment of Municipal Solid Waste: 1995 Update, CRS Report
95-570; and Interstate Shipment of Municipal Solid Waste, CRS Report 93-743.
CRS-2
Figure 1. Imports of Municipal Solid Waste, 2000 or latest year, in tons
Amounts in Tons
1,000,000 or greater
500,000 to 999,999
100,000 to 499,999
Less than 100,000
Figure 2. Exports of Municipal Solid Waste, 2000 or latest year, in tons
CRS-3
Table 1. Imports of Municipal Solid Waste, 2000 or latest year
(in tons)
State
Quantity Imported
Pennsylvania
a 9,764,147
Virginia
b 3,891,320
Michigan
c,d 2,840,338
Ohio
1,774,134
Illinois
d, e 1,541,913
Indiana
f 1,439,431
Oregon
e 1,239,579
Wisconsin
1,067,926
South Carolina
g 862,925
New Jersey
e 836,154
Kentucky
626,920
Nevada
541,400
New York
539,000
New Hampshire
e 538,700
Georgia
h 515,604
Iowa
h 485,000
Mississippi
e 449,821
Kansas
h 434,000
Arizona
i 408,718
Tennessee
j 297,081
West Virginia
k 250,264
Washington
e 243,292
New Mexico
e 241,771
Connecticut
e, l 239,842
Alabama
210,000
Missouri
183,042
Maine
e 164,527
Nebraska
122,500
Utah
m 66,000
Maryland
e, n 62,246
North Dakota
e 54,460
Texas
e 46,611
North Carolina
h 41,840
Montana
31,693
Massachusetts
e 29,412
Idaho
e 17,682
California
k 11,069
a In addition, Pennsylvania received 2,473,843 tons of other waste (industrial waste, construction/demolition
[C&D] waste, ash, asbestos, and sludge) from out of state at MSW landfills in 2000.
b Virginia also imported 580,226 tons of other waste, mostly sludge, C&D, ash, and industrial waste in 2000.
c 10/1/99 - 9/30/2000.
d Converted from cubic yards using 3.3 cu. yds. = 1 ton.
e 1999.
f Indiana also imported 172,410 tons of non-municipal solid waste, primarily C&D and industrial waste in 2000.
g 7/1/98 - 6/30/99.
h 7/1/99 - 6/30/2000.
i 4/1/99-3/31/2000.
j 8/1/97 - 7/31/98.
k 1998.
l Connecticut import total does not include waste from New York that was received at a Connecticut transfer
station and re-exported to other states for disposal.
m Utah landfills also imported 299,000 tons of industrial waste.
n Maryland also imported 469,944 tons of C&D waste.
Source: CRS, based on telephone interviews with and data provided by state program officials.
CRS-4
Table 2. Exports of Municipal Solid Waste, 2000 or latest year
(in tons)
State
Quantity Exported
New York
a 6,807,167
New Jersey
4,158,060
Illinois
3,145,821
Missouri
b 1,792,753
Maryland
1,791,103
Ontario, Canada
1,277,822
California
1,195,000
North Carolina
1,106,897
Ohio
1,039,876
Massachusetts
984,558
District of Columbia
978,900
Indiana
c 908,418
Washington
832,421
Minnesota
619,592
Connecticut
d 554,482
Pennsylvania
553,570
Texas
395,067
Iowa
380,000
West Virginia
305,257
Louisiana
300,000
Florida
289,613
Wisconsin
250,776
Georgia
250,000
Tennessee
151,229
Virginia
150,000
Rhode Island
146,950
Kentucky
94,171
Vermont
88,350
Michigan
85,210
Alabama
75,000
Idaho
65,530
New Hampshire
64,000
South Carolina
57,377
Arkansas
53,860
Maine
50,862
Kansas
43,000
Alaska
27,500
Delaware
24,618
Nebraska
18,203
Oregon
17,682
Colorado
15,000
Utah
1,000
a As reported by four importing states (Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey, and Ohio). New York’s data
indicate exports of 5,610,000 tons.
b About 40% of Missouri’s exports are believed to be construction and demolition or industrial waste sent to
MSW landfills.
c As reported by four receiving states (Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, and Illinois). Indiana reported 289,856 tons
of exports, but noted that the amount was incomplete because it only counted exports from transfer stations.
d As reported by receiving states, Connecticut exports may include waste that originated in New York State,
but was managed at a Connecticut transfer station.
Source: CRS, based on telephone interviews with and data provided by state program officials. In many cases,
the amount is based on data compiled by receiving states. See Table 4 entries for additional information.
CRS-5
Table 3. Net Imports/Exports of Municipal Solid Waste, 2000 or
latest year (in tons)
State
Imports
Exports
Net Imports/Exports
Pennsylvania
9,764,147
553,570
9,210,577
Virginia
3,891,320
150,000
3,741,320
Michigan
2,840,338
85,210
2,755,118
Oregon
1,239,579
17,682
1,221,897
Wisconsin
1,067,926
250,776
817,150
South Carolina
862,925
57,377
805,548
Ohio
1,774,134
1,039,876
734,258
Nevada
541,400
-
541,400
Kentucky
626,920
94,171
532,749
Indiana
1,439,431
908,418
531,013
New Hampshire
538,700
64,000
474,700
Mississippi
449,821
-
449,821
Arizona
408,718
-
408,718
Kansas
434,000
43,000
391,000
Georgia
515,604
250,000
265,604
New Mexico
241,771
-
241,771
Tennessee
297,081
151,229
145,852
Alabama
210,000
75,000
135,000
Maine
164,527
50,862
113,665
Iowa
485,000
380,000
105,000
Nebraska
122,500
18,203
104,297
Utah
66,000
1,000
65,000
North Dakota
54,460
-
54,460
Montana
31,693
-
31,693
Colorado
-
15,000
-15,000
Delaware
-
24,618
-24,618
Alaska
-
27,500
-27,500
Idaho
17,682
65,530
-47,848
Arkansas
-
53,860
-53,860
West Virginia
250,264
305,257
-54,993
Vermont
-
88,350
-88,350
Rhode Island
-
146,950
-146,950
Florida
-
289,613
-289,613
Louisiana
-
300,000
-300,000
Connecticut
239,842
554,482
-314,640
Texas
46,611
395,067
-348,456
Washington
243,292
832,421
-589,129
Minnesota
-
619,592
-619,592
Massachusetts
29,412
984,558
-955,146
District of Columbia
-
978,900
-978,900
North Carolina
41,840
1,106,897
-1,065,057
California
11,069
1,195,000
-1,183,931
Ontario, Canada
-
1,277,822
-1,277,822
Illinois
1,541,913
3,145,821
-1,603,908
Missouri
183,042
1,792,753
-1,609,711
Maryland
62,246
1,791,103
-1,728,857
New Jersey
836,154
4,158,060
-3,321,906
New York
539,000
6,807,167
-6,268,167
Source: CRS, based on telephone interviews. Data subject to numerous qualifications: see notes from Tables
1, 2, and 4.
CRS-6
Total Shipments
The data show that total interstate waste shipments continue to rise: imports in
the current survey totaled 32.0 million tons, 14.6% of the 220 million tons of
municipal solid waste generated in the United States.3 Between our year 2000 report
(reporting largely 1998 data) and the current survey (reporting generally 1999 and
2000 data), imports increased 3.6 million tons, about 13%. Since 1993, reported
imports have more than doubled, from 14.5 million tons in 1993 to 32.0 million tons
in the current survey.
States Reporting Increased Imports
Twenty states had increased imports of municipal waste in 2000, with the largest
increases occurring in Pennsylvania and Michigan. The increases in these two states,
2.6 million tons and 1.1 million tons respectively, total more than the entire increase
nationally. The other 48 states added together show a net decrease in waste imports
of 0.1 million tons.
The preponderance of these two states in the 2000 waste statistics demonstrates
another element of the emerging picture of interstate waste shipment: 52% of total
municipal waste imports are disposed in just three states: Pennsylvania, Virginia, and
Michigan.
Pennsylvania continues to be the largest waste importer, by far. Disposal
facilities in the state received 9.8 million tons of MSW and 2.5 million tons of other
nonhazardous waste from out of state in 2000. The amounts represented half of all
solid waste disposed in the state and more than 30% of the national total for interstate
shipments.
After Pennsylvania, Virginia is the largest waste importer, with 3.9 million tons
of MSW imports and 580,226 tons of other nonhazardous waste. Despite predictions
that Virginia would receive increased imports as New York’s Fresh Kills landfill
phased out operations, waste imports to Virginia remained roughly the same in the
1998-2000 period.
Michigan, the third largest waste importer in 2000, saw out-of-state waste
disposed in the state grow by more than 1.1 million tons that year. Substantial
amounts of waste come to Michigan from Illinois, Indiana, and other neighboring
states, but the biggest source, accounting for about 45% of Michigan’s out-of-state
waste, is Ontario, Canada. Ontario’s waste shipments are growing as the Toronto
area awards new contracts for waste disposal and closes its two remaining landfills.
3 Because many of the larger importers now differentiate MSW from other non-hazardous
waste imports, we compared total MSW imports to EPA’s national estimate of MSW
generation (220 million tons in the latest available year, 1998). State-reported waste
generation, summarized in BioCycle magazine’s annual survey, is substantially higher (340
million tons in 1998), but is likely to include other nonhazardous waste, provided it was
disposed at MSW facilities. For state-reported data, see Jim Glenn, “The State of Garbage
in America,” BioCycle, April 1999, p. 60.
CRS-7
At the beginning of 1999, Toronto area municipalities were managing about 2.8
million tons of waste annually, of which about 350,000 tons were shipped to
Michigan. By early 2003, however, there will be virtually no local disposal capacity.
Barring unforeseen developments, most of this waste is expected to be sent to
Michigan for disposal.
In other highlights:
! Eight states reported imports exceeding one million tons per year in the latest
year, a figure unchanged from our previous survey, which reported 1998 data.
! Another 20 states had imports exceeding 100,000 tons.
! For the third year in a row, New Jersey is on the list of major importers, with
836,154 tons of MSW imports in 1999 (2000 data were not yet available).
Imports in 1999 grew by more than 250,000 tons. The state is still a major
exporter of waste, as well: according to New Jersey, MSW exports totaled 2.5
million tons in 1999, and receiving states estimate the total exports at more
than 4 million tons in 2000. But the absence of flow control (local government
requirements that waste within their jurisdiction be disposed at local facilities,
which were overturned by the courts in the mid-1990s) has led waste-to-
energy facilities in New Jersey to search for waste to replace local waste now
being disposed elsewhere. As a result, large amounts of waste are entering
New Jersey from New York.
! New York, the nation’s largest waste exporter, also saw rapid growth in waste
imports in 2000. The state imported 539,000 tons of waste in 2000, an
increase from 130,000 in our previous survey.
! Other states reporting major increases in imports were Ohio, Georgia, South
Carolina, and Kentucky. Ohio had a nearly 700,000 ton increase in MSW
imports between 1998 and 2000, Georgia experienced a nearly 300,000 ton
increase over the two years, and South Carolina and Kentucky both had
increases in the 150,000 - 200,000 ton range.
! Although there are no comprehensive data, imports to transfer stations4 have
become a political issue in some locations. Transfer stations are generally
located in urban areas and are subject to less stringent regulation than disposal
facilities. Heavy truck traffic and odors have aroused concerns in some
neighboring communities. Both Connecticut and the District of Columbia
report significant amounts of out-of-state waste imported to transfer stations,
then exported to other states for disposal. New York City’s plan to export
waste to transfer stations in New Jersey has raised substantial controversy.5
4 Transfer stations receive waste from collection trucks, compact it, bale it, and load
it on larger trucks for disposal elsewhere.
5 See, for example, “Garbage Plan Ignites Border Tensions,” New York Times, December
3, 1998, p. A27.
CRS-8
States Reporting Decreased Imports
While waste imports increased overall, 14 states reported declines in waste
imports. In half the cases, the declines were small, but seven others had declines
exceeding 100,000 tons. Most notable were: Indiana, where waste imports have
declined 742,000 tons since 1998; Kansas, which declined 366,000 tons and now
imports about half the amount received in the mid-1990s; Mississippi, which declined
about 350,000 tons, due to markedly lower shipments from New Orleans; and New
Hampshire, where new permit conditions imposed on the state’s largest landfill
contributed to a state-wide reduction in imports of almost 280,000 tons.
Major Exporters
Eight states (New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Missouri, Maryland, California,
North Carolina, and Ohio) exported more than one million tons of waste to facilities
in other states in the latest reporting period, and six other states and the District of
Columbia exported more than half a million tons. The Canadian province of Ontario
also exported a substantial amount of municipal waste (1,277,000 tons) to Michigan.
New York, New Jersey, and Illinois remained the largest exporters. Together
these three states accounted for 46% of waste exports nationally.
New York reported exports of 5.61 million tons of MSW in 2000, an increase
of 29% in the 1998-2000 period. But receiving states report even higher totals, 6.82
million tons in 2000. Despite the already large amount, waste exports from New
York are expected to grow further because of the March 2001 closure of New York
City’s Fresh Kills Landfill — the city’s last disposal facility.
New Jersey’s estimated exports, 4.16 million tons, have also grown dramatically.
In New Jersey’s case, the cause of increased exports is the overturning of the state’s
flow control law, which, until 1997, directed much of the state’s waste to high-cost
local facilities for disposal. The state law was overturned and the state exhausted its
appeals in October 1997. Exports have since grown by nearly 2 million tons.
Illinois’ exports, at 3.15 million tons, declined in 2000, after several years of
rapid growth: in 1998, they were about four times the amount reported for 1995.6
Most of the exports originate in Cook County (Chicago and its suburbs), which has
a relative shortage of disposal capacity. Illinois as a whole reported a more than
doubling of landfill capacity between 1995 and 2000. But Chicago is located near the
border of both Indiana and Wisconsin; so increases in capacity elsewhere in Illinois
may not affect disposal decisions in the metropolitan area.
Maryland, California, and North Carolina all showed large increases in waste
exports (around 500,000 tons each) in the reporting period. Each of the three appears
to be an example of the growing regionalization of waste disposal markets, as waste
flowed from them to large disposal facilities in adjoining states.
6 Illinois, like most states, does not report waste exports. This export estimate was derived
from data provided by neighboring states.
CRS-9
Net Imports and Exports
Table 3 combines import and export data to rank the states by net amounts
imported or exported. The table shows that 15 states (Pennsylvania, Virginia,
Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Georgia, Tennessee, and Iowa among the net importers,
and West Virginia, Connecticut, Washington, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, and New
York among net exporters) both export and import in excess of 100,000 tons of
municipal solid waste.
There are several factors at work here. In the larger states, there are sometimes
differences in available disposal capacity in different regions within the state. Areas
without capacity may be closer to landfills (or may at least find cheaper disposal
options) in other states. A good example is Illinois: the Chicago area, which is close
to two other states, exports significant amounts of waste out of state, despite Illinois
being a large waste importer with available capacity in other parts of the state.
As noted earlier, the movement of waste also represents the growing
regionalization and consolidation of the waste industry. In 1999, the three largest
firms (Waste Management, Allied Waste, and Republic Services) accounted for 81%
of total revenues of the industry’s 100 largest firms.7 These large firms offer
integrated waste services, from collection to transfer station to disposal site, in many
locations. Often, they ship waste to their own disposal facility across a border, rather
than dispose of it at an in-state facility owned by a rival. As small landfills continue
to close — the number of U.S. landfills declined 51% between 1993 and 19998 — this
trend toward regionalization and consolidation is likely to continue. The amount of
waste being shipped across state lines for disposal may rise in this process.
Additional Information
The remainder of this report consists of a table summarizing waste import and
export data, by state. All 50 states and the District of Columbia are listed in
alphabetical order, with data for the amount of waste exported, destination of exports,
amount of waste imported, source of imports, and a state agency contact for
additional information.
7 “The Seventh Annual Waste Age 100,” Waste Age, September 2000, pp. 42-51.
8 “The State of Garbage in America,” BioCycle, April 1994, p. 51, and April 2000, p. 36.
CRS-10
Table 4. Amount and Destination of Exported MSW, and Amount and Sources of Imported MSW, by State
Amount of
Destination of
Amount of
Sources of
State
MSW Exported
Exported Waste
MSW Imported
Imported Waste
State Contact
No reporting system.
Mostly to Mississippi.
210,000 tons in 1998,
Mostly from Georgia.
John Narramore,
Mississippi reported
according to BioCycle
AL Dept. of Environmental
receiving about 75,000 tons
magazine survey. Probably
Management,
Alabama
of waste from Alabama in
still about the same,
(334) 271-7764
1999. Very small amounts
according to the state.
to Georgia and Tennessee.
Alaska estimates exports at
Washington
None
N.A.
Glenn Miller,
about 27,500 tons.
Alaska Dept. of
Alaska
Environmental Conservation
(907) 465-5153
Very little. There are a
Nevada and New Mexico.
408,718 tons in the period
Almost all from California,
David Janke,
couple of small flows in
4/1/99 - 3/31/2000.
especially the San Diego
Arizona Department of
Arizona
areas that are not accessible
area.
Environmental Quality,
from the rest of the state.
(602) 207-4173
53,860 tons reported by
Missouri
Arkansas does not measure
N.A.
Darlene Hale,
Missouri in 2000.
waste imports. The state is
Arkansas Dept. of Pollution
Arkansas
not believed to be a major
Control and Ecology,
importer.
(501) 682-0602
California does not have
Primarily Nevada and
11,069 tons in 1998 (latest
N.A.
Tracy Harper,
current data on waste
Arizona. Smaller amounts to
available).
CA Integrated Waste
exports. Four neighboring
Washington and Oregon.
Management Board,
California
states report 1,195,000 tons
(916) 341-6292
in the most recent reporting
period (1999 or 2000).
CRS estimates exports at
Primarily New Mexico.
No tracking system. Small
Kansas and Nebraska.
Glenn Mallory,
15,000 tons. According to
amounts may enter from
CO Dept. of Public Health
the state, the city of Durango
Kansas and Nebraska.
and Environment,
exports its waste to New
(303) 692-3445
Colorado
Mexico. There are also
small amounts crossing the
Kansas and Nebraska
borders.
CRS-11
Amount of
Destination of
Amount of
Sources of
State
MSW Exported
Exported Waste
MSW Imported
Imported Waste
State Contact
266,230 tons of MSW in
Pennsylvania (428,494 tons)
239,842 tons in 1999. (Does
About equally divided
Judy Belaval,
1999, according to
Ohio (125,988 tons). Some
not include waste from New
among Massachusetts,
CT Dept. of Environmental
Connecticut. Receiving
to New Jersey, also.
York that is managed at a
Rhode Island, and New
Protection,
Connecticut
states report a substantial
Connecticut transfer station
York.
(860) 424-3237
increase in 2000, to 554,482
and re-exported for
tons.
disposal.)
24,618 tons in 2000,
Almost all to Pennsylvania.
MSW landfills in the state’s
N.A.
Mike Apgar,
according to Pennsylvania
3 counties are operated by a
Delaware Dept. of Natural
and Virginia.
quasi-state authority and are
Resources and
prohibited from taking out-
Environmental Control,
of-state waste. A private
(302) 739-3689
Delaware
facility in the state imports
close to 400,000 tons per
year of “dry waste,”
primarily construction and
demolition waste.
978,900 tons in 2000,
88% to Virginia; 12% to
None for disposal.
Maryland
Sybil Hammond,
according to Virginia and
Pennsylvania.
However, D.C. reported
D.C. Dept. of Public Works,
Pennsylvania.
348,500 tons of out-of-state
(202) 673-6833
District of Columbia
waste were handled at D.C.
transfer stations in FY 1999,
then shipped to Virginia for
disposal.
Florida has no reporting
Georgia.
Maybe a little, but disposal
N.A.
Peter Goren,
system, but Georgia reported
is generally less expensive
Florida Dept. of
receiving 289,613 tons from
in Georgia, so there’s not
Environmental Protection,
Florida in FY 2000. Waste
much import.
(850) 487-9532
is exported mostly from
Florida
border counties, according to
Florida, and represents a
small fraction of the 30
million tons of waste
generated in the state.
CRS-12
Amount of
Destination of
Amount of
Sources of
State
MSW Exported
Exported Waste
MSW Imported
Imported Waste
State Contact
CRS estimates 250,000 tons
Mostly to Alabama. South
515,604 tons in the period
56% from Florida
Scott Henson,
in 2000, based on reports
Carolina reported 57,377
7/1/99 - 6/30/2000, more
18% from South Carolina
Georgia Dept. of Natural
Georgia
from Alabama and South
tons of waste shipped to
than double the amount two
5% from Tennessee
Resources,
Carolina.
Georgia in 1999.
years previously.
20% not specified.
(404) 362-4888
Hawaii does not export
N.A.
Hawaii does not import
N.A.
Gary Siu,
Hawaii
MSW.
MSW.
Hawaii Dept. of Health,
(808) 586-4244
65,530 tons in 1998.
Washington, Oregon, and
17,682 tons in 1999,
Oregon
Dean Ellert,
Montana.
according to Oregon.
ID Division of
Idaho
Environmental Quality,
(208) 373-0416
3,145,821 tons in 2000,
1.5 million tons of MSW to
1,541,913 tons in 1999.
75% from Missouri,
Ellen Gambach,
according to five
Indiana (CRS estimate based
(Data converted from cubic
17% from Iowa,
Illinois EPA
neighboring States, a decline
on Indiana data); 904,000
yards by CRS.)
4% from Indiana and
(217) 782-9288
Illinois
of 650,000 tons since 1998.
tons to Wisconsin; 640,000
4% from Wisconsin.
tons to Michigan. Small
amounts elsewhere.
Four receiving states,
Michigan (553,762 tons),
1,439,431 tons of MSW in
95% from Illinois,
Michelle Weddle,
Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky,
Ohio (158,764 tons),
2000, a decline of 742,000
3% from Michigan.
IN Department of
and Illinois, report receiving
Kentucky (134,215 tons),
tons in the past two years.
Environmental
a total of 908,418 tons from
Illinois (61,677 tons).
Indiana also imported
Management,
Indiana. Indiana reported
172,410 tons of other waste
(317) 233-3834
exports of 289,856 tons in
(principally C&D waste and
2000, but the state notes that
“special” waste) in 2000, a
Indiana
this total does not provide a
decline from 639,000 tons in
complete picture of Indiana
1999.
exports since it only includes
waste exported by transfer
stations. It does not include
waste taken directly out of
state by haulers.
CRS-13
Amount of
Destination of
Amount of
Sources of
State
MSW Exported
Exported Waste
MSW Imported
Imported Waste
State Contact
Iowa reports 380,000 tons of
About 2/3 goes to Illinois;
485,000 tons in FY 2000
Minnesota
Tammie Krausman,
exports in FY 2000 (7/1/99 -
the remainder goes mostly to
(7/1/99 - 6/30/2000).
Iowa Dept. of Natural
Iowa
6/30/2000).
Nebraska and Missouri.
Resources,
(515) 281-8382
Kansas reported 43,000 tons
Missouri and Oklahoma.
434,000 tons in FY 2000
Mostly from Missouri.
Kent Foerster,
of exports in FY 2000
(7/1/99 - 6/30/2000).
Some from southeast
Kansas Dept. of Health and
Kansas
(7/1/99-6/30/2000).
Nebraska and Oklahoma.
Environment
(785) 296-1540
No reporting system for
Indiana, 19,892 tons;
626,290 tons in 2000.
45% from Ohio,
Derek Gould,
exports, but 2 neighboring
Ohio, 74,279. Tennessee
21% from Indiana,
KY Department for
states reported receiving
and Illinois also receive
17% from W. Va.,
Environmental Protection
Kentucky
94,171 tons from KY in
waste from Kentucky.
16% from Tennessee.
(502) 564-6716 x671
2000. Exports to Indiana
declined by almost 90%.
No reporting system for
Mississippi.
No tracking system. The
N.A.
Dennis Duszynski,
exports, but Mississippi
state is not believed to be a
LA Dept. of Environmental
Louisiana
reports that it received
waste importer.
Quality, (225) 765-0249
300,000 tons of waste from
Louisiana in 1999.
50,862 tons in 1999, plus
19,000 tons to New
164,527 tons of MSW in
74% from Massachusetts;
George MacDonald,
40,412 tons of construction
Brunswick (Canada); most
1999.
the rest from New
ME Department of
Maine
and demolition (C & D)
of the rest to New
Hampshire.
Environmental Protection,
waste.
Hampshire.
(207) 287-5759
Maryland reported
1,427,585 tons to Virginia;
62,246 tons in 1999. In
Pennsylvania and West
Frank Diller,
1,368,811 tons of MSW in
359,596 tons to
addition, the state imported
Virginia. C & D waste
MD Department of the
1999, plus 145,866 tons of
Pennsylvania.
469,944 tons of construction
comes from 6 states.
Environment,
Maryland
incinerator ash. Receiving
and demolition waste.
(410) 631-4143
states, which have reported
data for 2000, reported
receiving 1,791,103 tons.
CRS-14
Amount of
Destination of
Amount of
Sources of
State
MSW Exported
Exported Waste
MSW Imported
Imported Waste
State Contact
984,558 tons of MSW in
39% to New Hampshire;
29,412 tons of MSW in
73% from Connecticut,
Brian Holdridge,
1999; Mass. also exported
17% to Virginia;
1999. 224,165 tons of other
17% from New Hampshire.
Mass. Dept. of
Massachusetts
215,000 tons of other waste
12% each to Ohio and
waste (mostly ash and
Environmental Protection,
(mostly construction and
Maine;
construction and demolition
(617) 292-5578
demolition).
10% to NY.
waste).
No tracking system for
Ohio (54%)
2,840,338 tons, 10/1/99-
Ontario, Canada (45%),
Lynn Dumroese,
exports, but two neigh-
Indiana (46%).
9/30/2000, an increase of
Illinois (23%),
Michigan Dept. of
Michigan
boring states reported
nearly 1,000,000 tons in the
Indiana (20%),
Environmental Quality,
85,210 tons from Michigan
last year. (Data converted
Ohio (7%),
(517) 373-4738
in 2000.
from cubic yards by CRS).
Wisconsin (5%).
619,592 tons in 1999, a 38%
Iowa (432,837 tons),
Imports were less than 1,000
N.A.
Jim Chiles,
increase over 1998.
Wisconsin (131,912 tons),
tons.
Minnesota Pollution Control
Minnesota
North Dakota (54,460 tons),
Agency,
South Dakota (383 tons).
(651) 296-7273
May be small amounts to
Tennessee and Arkansas.
449,821 tons in 1999.
Louisiana accounted for
Mark Williams,
Tennessee and Arkansas.
about 300,000 tons, Alabama
Mississippi Department of
Mississippi
about 75,000 tons, and the
Environmental Quality,
rest comes mostly from the
(601) 961-5171
Memphis, Tennessee area.
1,792,753 tons in 2000.
Illinois (70%) and Kansas
183,042 tons in 2000
Illinois (54%)
Dennis Hansen,
About 40% of this is
(28%) were the main
(includes industrial and C &
Arkansas (29%)
Mo. Department of Natural
Missouri
estimated to be C & D waste
destinations.
D waste).
Iowa (15%)
Resources
or industrial waste sent to
(573) 751-5401
MSW landfills.
Small amounts.
North Dakota
31,693 tons in 2000.
Mostly from Idaho. Smaller
Pat Crowley,
amounts from North Dakota
MT Department of Health
Montana
and Wyoming (Yellowstone
and Environmental
Park).
Sciences,
(406) 444-5294
CRS-15
Amount of
Destination of
Amount of
Sources of
State
MSW Exported
Exported Waste
MSW Imported
Imported Waste
State Contact
Nebraska does not collect
Kansas, Colorado, and
Nebraska does not collect
98% from Iowa; the rest
Keith Powell,
annual data on waste
Wyoming.
annual data on waste
from South Dakota.
Nebraska Dept. of
exports. A one-time survey
imports, either. A one-time
Environmental Quality,
Nebraska
reported 18,203 tons in
survey reported 122,500 tons
(402) 471-4210
1997. Probably hasn’t been
in 1997. Probably hasn’t
much change since then,
been much change since
according to the state.
then, according to the state.
None
N.A.
541,400 tons in 2000,
California. Minute amounts
Les Gould,
according to preliminary
from Arizona and Utah.
NV Division of
Nevada
state estimates.
Environmental Protection,
(775) 687-4670,
ext. 3018
64,000 tons in 1999.
Maine and Massachusetts.
538,700 tons in 1999, down
Primarily Massachusetts.
Pierce Rigrod,
34% from 1997. Imports are
Small amounts from
NH Department of
New Hampshire
expected to continue
Vermont and Maine.
Environmental Services,
declining as a result of a
(603) 271-3713
permit modification.
2,508,000 tons in 1999, a
Mostly to Pennsylvania;
836,154 tons in 1999. Most
New York (78%),
Ray Worob,
decrease of nearly 1,000,000
about 6% to Ohio.
goes to the Essex County
Pennsylvania (14%),
NJ Department of
tons compared to 1998.
incinerator.
Connecticut (6%).
Environmental Protection,
Pennsylvania, Ohio, and
(609) 984-6903
New Jersey
Virginia, which have data
for the year 2000, report
receiving 4,158,060 tons of
MSW from New Jersey in
2000.
No MSW exports.
N.A.
241,771 tons in 1999, 80%
Mostly from El Paso, Texas.
John O’Connell,
of which is MSW. The rest
Small amounts from other
New Mexico Environmental
New Mexico
is mostly maquiladora waste
areas of Texas and Mexico.
Department,
from Mexican border areas.
(505) 827-2385
CRS-16
Amount of
Destination of
Amount of
Sources of
State
MSW Exported
Exported Waste
MSW Imported
Imported Waste
State Contact
5,610,000 tons in 2000,
Primarily Pennsylvania (4.7
539,000 tons in 2000. May
441,000 tons came from
Gerard Wagner,
according to New York.
million tons), Virginia (1
include industrial and C & D
Massachusetts. Vermont,
NY State Department of
Four importing states report
million tons), New Jersey
waste.
Connecticut, and New
Environmental Conservation
New York
a total of 6,807,167 tons
(648,000 tons), and Ohio
Jersey were the other main
(518) 402-8692
from New York.
(466,000 tons).
sources.
1,106,897 tons from July
Mostly to South Carolina
41,840 tons, July 1999-June
96% from Virginia; the
Paul Chrisman,
1999 to June 2000, a 10-fold
and Virginia.
2000.
remainder from South
NC Dept. of Environment
North Carolina
increase since FY 1996.
Carolina.
and Natural Resources,
(919) 733-0692 x254
Small amounts.
South Dakota and Montana.
The state has no reporting
Minnesota
Steve Tillotson.
system, but Minnesota
ND Dept. of Health,
North Dakota
reports 54,460 tons of MSW
(701) 328-5166
exported to North Dakota in
1999.
1,039,876 tons in 1999, a
Primarily to Michigan and
1,774,134 tons received at
New York (26%),
Andrew Booker,
17% increase from 1998,
Kentucky. Lesser amounts
MSW landfills in 2000, a
Pennsylvania (24%),
Ohio Environmental
and nearly triple the amount
to Indiana, West Virginia,
63% increase over 1997, but
New Jersey (13%),
Protection Agency,
Ohio
in 1993.
and Pennsylvania.
a decline of 50% from the
Indiana (9%).
(614) 728-5355
peak in 1989. May include
Smaller amounts from 28
some C & D and industrial
other states.
waste.
Oklahoma does not require
N.A.
Landfills in Oklahoma are
N.A.
John Roberts,
reporting, and does not
not required to report waste
Oklahoma Dept. of
Oklahoma
believe it exports more than
imports, but “there’s not all
Environmental Quality,
incidental amounts from
that much” import.
(405) 702-5100
small towns near the border.
Michigan reports receiving
Michigan
None.
N.A.
Bruce Pope,
1,277,822 tons of waste
Ontario Ministry of
Ontario, Canada
from Ontario, 10/1/99 -
Environment and Energy,
9/30/2000, an increase of
(416) 325-4420
80% in the last year.
CRS-17
Amount of
Destination of
Amount of
Sources of
State
MSW Exported
Exported Waste
MSW Imported
Imported Waste
State Contact
17,682 tons in 1999.
Idaho
1,239,579 tons in 1999.
Mostly from Washington.
Judy Henderson,
About 6% from California.
OR Dept. of Environmental
Oregon
Quality,
(503) 229-5521
553,570 tons in 2000,
77% to Ohio,
9,764,147 tons of MSW in
48% from New York,
Sally Lohman,
according to neighboring
22% to New Jersey,
2000, plus 2,473,843 tons of
40% from New Jersey,
PA Department of
states.
1% to Virginia.
industrial waste, C&D
4% from Connecticut,
Environmental Protection,
waste, ash, sludge and
4% from Maryland,
(717) 787-7382
asbestos. MSW imports
2% from Massachusetts,
Pennsylvania
increased about 1.8 million
1% from D.C.
tons in 2000, and have more
than doubled since 1993,
when Pennsylvania was
already, by far, the largest
net importer.
146,950 tons in 1999.
Connecticut and
No imports.
N.A.
Robert Schmidt,
Massachusetts were the
RI Department of
principal export
Environmental
Rhode Island
destinations. Some waste
Management,
also goes to Pennsylvania
(401) 222-2797 x7260
and Ohio.
Not a major exporter:
Georgia
862,925 tons, 7/1/98 -
Mostly from North Carolina;
Celeste Duckett,
according to the state,
6/30/99, an increase of
some from Georgia.
SC Dept. of Health and
South Carolina
57,377 tons of MSW were
nearly 30%.
Environmental Control,
exported in FY 1999 (7/1/98
(803) 896-4226
- 6/30/99).
The state does not track
North Dakota, Nebraska,
The state does not track
N.A.
Jim Wente,
exports, but believes small
and Wyoming.
imports.
SD Dept. of Environment
South Dakota
amounts are exported from
and Natural Resources,
some border communities.
(605) 773-3153
Neighboring states reported
Kentucky (97,178 tons)
Latest data, for FY 1998
34% from Virginia,
Buddy Kelly,
151,229 tons of MSW from
Georgia (26,547 tons)
(8/1/97 - 7/31/98), showed
32% from Indiana,
TN Dept. of Environment
Tennessee
Tennessee.
Virginia (27,504 tons).
imports of 297,081 tons, an
30% from Kentucky.
and Conservation
increase of 79% from the
(615) 532-0150
previous year.
CRS-18
Amount of
Destination of
Amount of
Sources of
State
MSW Exported
Exported Waste
MSW Imported
Imported Waste
State Contact
The state assumes that little
99% of the total went to
Texas imported 46,611 tons
10,362 tons from Mexico;
Lynne Haase,
has changed since 1998,
New Mexico, 1% to
of MSW in 1999.
the remainder from 7 states.
Texas Natural Resource
when 395,067 tons were
Louisiana.
Conservation Commission,
Texas
exported. New Mexico
(512) 239-6088
reports lesser amounts
received.
About 1,000 tons of MSW
Nevada.
66,000 tons in 2000. The
N.A.
Jeff Emmons,
goes from Wendover, Utah,
state also imported 299,000
Utah Dept. of
to Wendover, Nevada.
tons of non-hazardous
Environmental Quality
Utah
There may also be some
industrial waste.
(801) 538-6748
small amount of exports
from Indian reservations.
88,350 tons in 1999.
Primarily New Hampshire
No imports.
N.A.
Julie Hackbarth,
and New York.
VT Dept. of Environmental
Vermont
Conservation,
(802) 241-3446
No export reporting system.
Tennessee and North
3,891,320 tons in 2000, plus
37% from Maryland,
Kathy Frahm,
Based on reports from
Carolina.
an additional 580,226 tons
27% from New York,
VA Department of
Virginia
surrounding states, CRS
of non-MSW. Imports
22% from the District of
Environmental Quality,
estimates 150,000 tons of
declined more than 200,000
Columbia,
(804) 698-4376
exports.
tons in 2000.
12% from North Carolina.
832,421 tons in 1999.
Oregon
243,292 tons in 1999.
About 60% from California;
Ellen Caywood,
the rest from Canada,
Washington Dept. of
Washington
Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska.
Ecology
(360) 407-6132
No tracking system.
Kentucky (40%),
250,264 tons in 1998, about
N.A.
Bill Rheinlander,
Kentucky, Ohio,
Ohio (30%)
the same as in 1997, but a
WV Division of
West Virginia
Pennsylvania, and Virginia
Pennsylvania (17%),
69% decline from its peak in
Environmental Protection,
reported 305,257 tons from
Virginia (13%).
1992.
(304) 558-4253
WV.
250,776 tons in 1999,
Michigan (187,825 tons)
1,067,926 tons in 2000.
85% from Illinois,
Wayne Ringquist,
according to three
Illinois (61,677 tons)
15% from Minnesota.
WI Dept. of Natural
Wisconsin
neighboring states.
Indiana (1,274 tons).
Resources
(608) 267-7557
CRS-19
Amount of
Destination of
Amount of
Sources of
State
MSW Exported
Exported Waste
MSW Imported
Imported Waste
State Contact
No tracking system. A
N.A.
The state does not track
N.A.
Bob Doctor,
couple of communities in
waste imports. Very little
WY Department of
very remote areas may ship
waste is believed to be
Environmental Quality,
Wyoming
waste out of or into the state,
imported.
(307) 473-3468
but very little waste is
believed to be exported.
N.A. = not available
Source: CRS, based on telephone interviews with and data provided by state program officials.