As county legislators continue to search for ways to deal with the county’s growing trash problems, the following questions need to be answered: 

1. Why are legislators even considering a trash incinerator as a viable solution?  The only response to the county’s Request for Proposals (RFP)  for the construction of an incinerator came from Reworld; the proposal from the company clearly states that its business plan could require importing trash and/or paying extra money to meet Reworld’s profit demands, in a so-called “put-or-pay” system.  

Reworld’s proposed trash removal contract specifically says “...We also recommend it be structured as a put or pay with sufficient performance to support project financing. To be clear, the County will not need to guarantee any indebtedness, only its performance under the contract, which shall primarily be the delivery of sufficient quantities of MSW…,” even if that means trucking in tons more trash. 

2. Why doesn’t the county RFP specifically rule out importation of trash or required cash equivalents?  This is unknown.  All it says is that the trash is to be “…waste generated within Sullivan County and to develop agreements with surrounding counties.”  There is no definition of the “surrounding counties” nor any limitation as to how much trash might be imported from them. 
3. Will Sullivan County be next?  This business plan from Reworld (formerly Covanta), requiring a trash volume minimum or cash payments, has caused bankruptcies or near-bankruptcies in, but not limited to the following:

• Harrisburg, PA;
• Claremont, NH;
• Poughkeepsie, NY;
• Detroit, MI;
• Hudson Falls, NY; 
• Lake County, FL;  and 
• New Jersey counties.

Burning garbage destroys human and environmental health, the local economy and property values.  Reworld’s “put-or-pay” business plan demands increased trash volume for its profits.  

Reducing trash volumes can and must be done.  Los Ángeles, among other places—including Alachua County, FL—has reduced its trash volumes by over 50 percent or more.  

Sullivan County must adopt plans to do the same.

Star D. Hesse is a Sullivan County resident. Barbara Arrindell is the director of the Damascus Citizens for Sustainability.  See also www.damascuscitizensforsustainability.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Trash-Options-Sullivan-County14.pdf   and www.damascuscitizensforsustainability.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/incinerator-or-cash-4-15.pdf.