Transfer System
Southern Idaho Solid Waste (SISW) operates a regional transfer and transportation system that helps provide efficient and affordable waste services across our seven-county district. Local transfer stations allow residents to dispose of waste close to home, while waste is then consolidated and transported to the regional Milner Butte Landfill using a hub-and-spoke system. This approach combines local convenience with regional efficiency to reduce transportation costs, fuel use, traffic, and wear on local roads.
Transfer stations also allow SISW to separate and divert materials like wood waste, scrap metal, batteries, and household hazardous waste before they reach the landfill. Diverting these materials helps reduce disposal costs, conserve landfill space, and keep long-term costs lower for the communities we serve.
The Milner Butte Landfill
The Milner Butte Landfill is a modern, engineered landfill designed to safely manage municipal solid waste while protecting public health and the environment. As the central hub of SISW’s regional system, the landfill uses advanced liner systems, leachate collection, and ongoing groundwater monitoring to safely contain waste and prevent impacts to surrounding natural resources.
By combining careful planning, modern infrastructure, and continuous environmental monitoring, the Milner Butte Landfill provides a safe, reliable, and cost-effective solution for the region’s long-term waste management needs.
Landfill to gas energy
As waste naturally breaks down in the landfill, it produces landfill gas that is primarily made up of methane. Instead of allowing this gas to escape into the atmosphere, SISW captures it through an advanced gas collection system and uses it to generate renewable electricity.
This creates a circular system where waste generated by our communities is turned into energy that helps power those same communities. By capturing and using landfill gas, SISW reduces greenhouse gas emissions, improves environmental protection, and creates long-term value from materials that would otherwise go unused. This approach helps support cleaner air, reliable local infrastructure, and a cleaner future for Southern Idaho.
Our services
Municipal Solid Waste Disposal:
Safe and efficient handling of general household and commercial trash across our network of transfer stations and the Milner Butte Landfill.
Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program:
Dedicated diversion of dangerous household materials to protect our water and soil. We safely process used oil, antifreeze, pesticides, chemicals, paint, and medical sharps.
Battery & Electronic Waste (E-Waste) Recycling:
Specialized drop-off for electronics (laptops, cell phones) and batteries (Lithium-Ion, automotive, NiCd) to prevent landfill fires and toxic heavy metal contamination.
Waste Diversion & Recycling:
Proactive programs to keep reusable materials out of the landfill, including tire recycling, scrap metal bins, and our green/wood waste program that grinds branches into mulch and landfill cover.
Construction, Demolition & Inert Waste:
Dedicated handling for heavy materials resulting from local building and demolition projects, ensuring proper placement in designated lined or unlined areas.
Special Waste Management:
Regulated, safe disposal of non-standard items that require specific handling protocols and advanced approvals, such as asbestos, burned materials, and mobile homes.
Public Education & Landfill Tours:
Coordinating district-wide environmental initiatives, hosting community collection events, and offering guided tours of the Milner Butte Landfill. We believe in transparency and public education to promote responsible waste habits across Southern Idaho.
