National and Reigonal Trend
on Tipping Fee

national_and_regional_trend_on_tipping_fee

From 2014 to 2023, food waste tipping fees in the United States have shown significant regional variation and general upward trends influenced by multiple factors such as landfill capacity, economic conditions, and waste management practices. Here are the key trends and data points for this period.

1. National Trends

Average Tipping Fees:

- In 2014, the national average tipping fee for municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills was around $45 per ton. By 2019, this average increased to $55.36 per ton, reflecting a steady rise over the years.

- From 2019 to 2023, the average tipping fee saw fluctuations, reaching $56.80 per ton in 2023. This represented a slight decrease from the previous year but followed two years of increases from 2020 onwards​ (EREF)​​ (Waste Today Magazine)​.

2. Regional Trends

Regional Unweighted MSW Landfill Tipping Fee

Northeast: 

- This region consistently has the highest tipping fees. In 2023, the unweighted MSW Landfill tipping fee in the Northeast was $83.44 per ton, up from $75.92 in 2022. This region has experienced steady increases over the years due to high waste disposal costs and limited landfill capacity​ (EREF).

Pacific

- The Pacific region saw its tipping fees peak around $73 per ton in 2019. By 2023, fees had decreased to $62.28 per ton, showing the greatest regional decline in recent years​.

Midwest

- The Midwest experienced fluctuations, with fees reaching $57.24 per ton in 2023, down from a high of around $60 per ton in previous years​​​ (BioCycle)​.

Mountains/Plains:

- Fees in this region have remained relatively stable, with a slight decrease to $49.86 per ton in 2023 from around $50 per ton in previous years.

Southeast:

- The Southeast has consistently had lower tipping fees, averaging $43.18 per ton in 2023, reflecting a slight decrease from previous years.

South Central:

- This region saw fees decrease to $45.25 per ton in 2023, following a trend of lower tipping fees compared to the national average​.

3. Factors Influencing Trends

Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Facilities 

States with active WTE facilities tend to have higher tipping fees. For instance, in 2021, states with WTE facilities had an average fee of $58.42 per ton, compared to $48.14 per ton in states without WTE.

Economic Factors

The national trend indicates an increase in tipping fees driven by economic factors such as inflation, landfill operating costs, and reduced landfill capacity. The COVID-19 pandemic also affected these trends, causing a temporary decline in disposal volumes and subsequent recovery​.

4. Conlcusion

Overall, the data from 2014 to 2023 highlights a general increase in tipping fees with significant regional variations influenced by local economic conditions, waste management practices, and the presence of WTE facilities.

As tipping fees are increasing more financial burden has been gone to many B2B business side from a household to restuarants, organisations who are dealing with lots of food waste on a daily basis. It is now we shall actively seek alternative solution to ease financial burden for tipping fee. On the journey of that, we, Reencle wants to be part of the journey.