Island County Installs Larger Compactor, Aims to Cut Waste Costs
Island County installed a new, larger trash compactor at the Coupeville Transfer Station on December 2, 2025 to increase bale density and reduce hauling costs amid rising long haul disposal and transport prices. County officials say the $2.1 million, computer controlled SSI 2500 SPH unit will produce heavier loads and require fewer shipments, easing pressure on budgets and local roads.
Island County completed delivery and installation of a new $2.1 million SSI 2500 SPH compactor at the Coupeville Transfer Station on December 2, 2025. The computer controlled unit was transported to Whidbey Island and required a temporary closure of the Deception Pass Bridge during delivery, a logistical step that underscored the scale of the equipment and the operational planning behind the move.
The new compactor increases per bale tonnage capacity from roughly 22 to 24 tons to as much as 30 tons per bale, a rise that county staff say will reduce the number of shipments needed to move equivalent volumes of compacted refuse. County staff summarized a planned five year disposal and transport contract that reflects a substantial price increase per ton and per container, driven by higher long haul disposal and transport costs. The greater compaction density is designed to offset those higher contract rates through more efficient loads and fewer truck trips.
Financing for the purchase combined a $700,000 down payment from the solid waste enterprise fund with a five year loan for the remaining balance. County procurement officials pursued the purchase as a capital investment intended to lower annual hauling expenses and to improve operational efficiency at the transfer station. The unit is computer controlled, which supports consistent bale density and reduces variability that can complicate loading and transport.
Local impacts include fewer heavy truck movements between the transfer station and long haul disposal sites, which translates into lower roadway wear and a reduction in truck emissions from fewer trips. The temporary bridge closure during delivery created short term traffic disruption for commuters and freight, but it allowed the county to position a larger, more cost effective piece of equipment for long term service.
Officials expect the compactor to reduce annual hauling costs by a sizable fraction through fewer shipments and more efficient loads. The investment reflects a local response to broader market pressures in waste transport, and it positions Island County to manage rising disposal expenses while limiting impacts on residents and infrastructure.
