Waste management is a crucial component of keeping our communities clean and sustainable. For most people, disposing of trash is as simple as placing it in a bin, dumpster, or roll-off dumpster, or taking it to a designated disposal site. However, people do not always understand the difference between a landfill and a transfer station.

Mountain Valley Transfer serves as the local transfer station in the San Luis Valley and throughout Southern Colorado, providing the community with a place to bring waste for proper disposal. It is owned and operated by Mountain Disposal Inc.

So, what is the difference between a landfill and a transfer station? We’re glad you asked!

What is a Landfill?

A landfill is a designated area of land where waste is permanently stored. In a landfill, garbage is compacted, covered, and layered with soil to minimize its environmental impact, reduce odors, and prevent pests. Landfills are complex operations that require careful planning and management to minimize pollution and avoid harm to the environment.

Key Characteristics of a Landfill

1. Permanent Waste Storage: Landfills are meant to hold waste for the long term. Once waste enters a landfill, it stays there indefinitely, undergoing processes like decomposition and stabilization.
2. Environmental Safeguards: Modern landfills are designed with environmental protections, such as liners and drainage systems, to prevent contaminants from leaching into soil and groundwater. This differs greatly from older “dumps,” where waste was often piled with little regard for potential environmental damage.
3. Land Use and Regulations: Landfills are carefully regulated by environmental agencies to ensure they operate safely and responsibly. Because of their permanence and potential impact on the environment, they must meet stringent requirements before they are approved for use.
4. Handling Different Types of Waste: Landfills can accept various types of waste, including municipal solid waste, construction debris, and, in some cases, certain hazardous materials. However, there are strict rules about what can and cannot go into a landfill to prevent the release of harmful substances.

What is a Transfer Station?

A transfer station is a temporary facility where waste is collected, sorted, and then transported to its final destination, typically a landfill. Unlike landfills, transfer stations do not store waste permanently. Instead, they serve as a middle point in the waste management process, allowing for efficient sorting and consolidating of waste from the public before it is moved to a landfill or another treatment facility.

At Mountain Valley Transfer, residents in Southern Colorado can bring their trash, whether it’s in bags, trailers, or pickup trucks. Anyone can bring their trash, for a fee. Those who bring waste to Mountain Valley Transfer do not have to be a Mountain Disposal customer. The waste collected here is not kept on site permanently; instead, it is sorted and then transported to a landfill for final disposal.

Key Characteristics of a Transfer Station

1. Temporary Waste Collection: A transfer station only temporarily holds waste until it can be moved to a landfill. Waste usually remains on site for a short time, often just a few days, before it is loaded onto larger vehicles for transport.
2. Convenience and Accessibility: Transfer stations offer an accessible location for residents and businesses to dispose of their waste, especially in rural or remote areas where a landfill might not be nearby. For many communities, transfer stations like Mountain Valley Transfer are the most convenient option for dropping off waste.
3. Environmental and Cost Efficiency: By consolidating waste at a transfer station, Mountain Disposal can transport larger loads to the landfill. This approach reduces the number of trips needed and, in turn, lowers fuel consumption and emissions. It’s a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to handle waste.

Why the Distinction Matters

The difference between a landfill and a transfer station matters for a few reasons, especially for the residents of San Luis Valley, Pueblo County, Custer County, and Huerfano County who bring their waste to Mountain Valley Transfer:

1. Public Perception and Misconceptions: Many people associate both landfills and transfer stations with long-term waste storage. However, while waste left at a landfill stays there, waste left at a transfer station is simply awaiting transport to its final destination. It’s important for the community to understand that Mountain Valley Transfer is not a dump; it’s a collection and transit point.
2. Environmental Impact Awareness: Knowing that waste does not stay at a transfer station but is instead transported to a landfill allows people to appreciate the Mountain Disposal takes to protect the environment. Landfills have built-in safeguards to prevent contamination, which is why waste is ultimately transported there instead of left at the transfer station.
3. Disposal Options and Cost Efficiency: Transfer stations are designed to make waste disposal easier and more efficient for the public. By consolidating waste at transfer stations, Mountain Disposal can move larger quantities of waste to landfills in fewer trips, ultimately reducing operational costs and environmental impact.

While both landfills and transfer stations play essential roles in waste management, they serve distinctly different purposes. Landfills provide long-term waste storage with robust environmental protections, while transfer stations offer temporary waste collection for convenient public disposal before the waste is transported to a landfill.

Please visit Mountain Valley Transfer’s website to see our fees, hours of operation, and location.