Butler County Public Works is asking the Board to approve a new landfill policy that would allow acceptance of bulk tire loads at $300 per ton (or at existing per‑tire rates) and authorize the landfill to ship collected tires to an external recycling facility instead of burying them on site. Historically, the county has cut tires and landfilled them, but an analysis shows this practice causes damage to CAT compactors (scraper bars, teeth, wheel seals), operational inefficiencies, and fire risks, and other Kansas jurisdictions like Salina, Harvey County, and Reno County reportedly avoid landfilling whole tires. The agenda materials include a 2026 Tire Recycling Analysis and a 2027 fee schedule detailing current tire charges, suggesting the county is still defining its cost structure and vendor relationships for outbound recycling. While the policy itself is a management decision, approval to ship tires out creates an impending need for transportation and tire recycling services that have not yet been competitively procured or named, presenting an opportunity for recyclers, haulers, and engineering consultants to help design and operate a sustainable tire diversion program.

Staff cite discussions with other counties and a desire to avoid operational damage and fire risk fr...