History of Indiana Solid Waste Districts
The Recycling (Solid Waste) Districts were created in 1990 by Legislative Act 1240 which became Public Law 10-1990. The purpose of this law was to reduce the amount of material going to landfills by 50% by the year 2001 statewide. This law also set up the Board of Directors as being made up from seven (7) local elected officials in the county. The Miami County Solid Waste District Board of Directors was created in May of 1992.
Funding
Solid waste districts can be funded through several possible sources, including disposal (tipping) fees from landfills within the county, a flat fee charged to all county property owners, or a property tax levy. The founding board members selected the flat fee option, also known as a “user fee” or “recycling assessment”, which is billed annually to all property owners in Miami County.
Beginning in 2026, this $30 solid waste fee will be collected alongside spring property taxes. Because the county does not have any active landfills, the tipping fee option was not feasible. Funds collected through this annual fee are used to cover all costs associated with recycling and disposal of collected materials.