Regular programming from the Solid Waste Services Department includes bi-weekly recycling cart collection for residents and businesses to help ensure proper disposal of items, prevent waste ending up scattered across the city, and decrease illegal dumping incidents.
The city also partners with Keep Fort Smith Beautiful on regular clean-up events. These events are sponsored by the Solid Waste Services Department. They provide large containers for residents to drop off unwanted or bulky items such as old furniture or appliances.
Yard Waste
For yard waste and organic material, the Solid Waste Services Department provides residents with free yard waste carts. After the residential yard waste is collected, the department transforms the material into compost at the city’s landfill facility, where the public can purchase mulch each spring.
Landfill Gases
The city collects landfill gases (LFG) and then turns the biogas into a renewable fuel, compressed natural gas (CNG).
LFG is made up of roughly 50% methane and 50% carbon dioxide, but there are trace amounts of water, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen. The methane is collected and treated for pipeline injection while excess gas is flared or burned. The city’s partnership with Morrow Renewables generates approximately $1 million in annual revenue that the city uses to sustain the landfill operations, fund future expansion, and replace associated equipment.
As of early 2023, the landfill CNG fueling station provides fuel for six trucks for mobilization.