Agency Staff

The Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency (DMASWA) is an intergovernmental entity formed in 1973 under Chapter 28E of the Code of Iowa. Formed originally to own and operate a sanitary landfill, the DMASWA has since broadened its mission.

Mission

In order to control current and future economic and environmental liability, the mission of the Dubuque Metropolitan Area Solid Waste Agency is to provide environmentally sound, financially stable, fiscally responsible, community recognized, solid waste management services that include appropriate waste reduction, resource conservation, education, customer service, and disposal activities.

Guiding Principles

Specifically, the DMASWA’s guiding principles are to:

  • Continue to own and operate a good, environmentally sound landfill
  • Provide a stable funding system based on user fees (i.e., tipping fees and various direct charges) and minimizing tax subsidies
  • Maintain reserve funds to cover appropriate items such as closure/post-closure and care, facility development, contingency actions, and land acquisition
  • Employ well-qualified staff and/or contractors
  • Foster a customer service-based orientation toward waste haulers and other facility users
  • Facilitate well-planned, community-driven, sustainable waste reduction through meaningful education and resource conservation programs, which would help prolong the Agency's landfill life
  • Study and identify alternative solid waste management methods, customer needs, and funding approaches, and provide for the implementation of services to fill identified voids

Landfill

The Agency's municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill (permit 31-SDP-02-75P) is located on Dubuque's west side at 101 Airborne Road. Its planning area is Dubuque and Delaware counties.

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