Winnebago County, WI Solid Waste Management Board Celebrates 50 Years of Service and Sustainability

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage):  This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Winnebago County Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB), a milestone recognizing five decades of leadership in sustainable waste management, environmental stewardship, and regional collaboration. 

Established on July 15, 1975, by the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors under Wisconsin Statutes Section 59.07 (135), the SWMB was created to oversee the development and operation of the County’s solid waste management system. Since then, the Board has played a critical role in shaping innovative policies, managing key infrastructure, and promoting long-term sustainability across the region. 

Over the past 50 years, the SWMB has led the planning and oversight of several major facilities and initiatives, including: 

•          Snell Road Landfill (1976–1990) 
•          Sunnyview Co-Disposal Landfill (1989–2013) 
•          Sunnyview Sludge Landfill (1989–2016) 
•          Winnebago County’s Material Recovery Facility (1993–2002) 
•          Landfill Gas to Energy Program (1995–present) 
•          Transfer Station and Residential Drop-Off Area (2002–present) 
•          Ken Robl Conservation Park (opened in 2018) 

In addition to managing its own systems, the SWMB has fostered strong regional partnerships. Through the Tri-County BOW (Brown, Outagamie, and Winnebago) collaboration, the Board has secured long-term recycling and waste disposal solutions. Key agreements include: 

•          BOW Intergovernmental Recycling Agreement (2001) 
•          BOW Intergovernmental Solid Waste Disposal Agreement (2003; amended in 2020) 
•          County/Municipal Recycling Agreement (1993) 
•          Winnebago County Local Government Support Agreement (2003) 

These partnerships have allowed the region to consolidate landfill airspace through 2042, unify recycling infrastructure through 2039, and provide municipal support for SWMB programs through 2027. Collectively, the Tri-County Partnership has generated an estimated $48 million in cost savings for residents and businesses from its inception through 2020. 

Looking ahead, the SWMB remains committed to advancing waste diversion efforts, supporting the long-term care of closed landfills, and planning for resilient, sustainable facilities that serve future generations. “When this department was founded, the world looked very different,” said Winnebago County Executive Gordon Hintz. “Waste management is not just about disposal—it’s about stewardship of our environment, protection of public health, and ensuring a livable future for generations to come.” 

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantagemag.com