In 1986, the Ulster County Legislature obtained authorization from the State Legislature for the creation of the Ulster County Resource Recovery Agency (the "Agency"), a public benefit corporation which was formed for the purpose of developing, financing, and implementing a comprehensive Countywide solid waste management program. In the mid-1980's, after new initiatives to close non-complying exiting landfills were undertaken by the NYSDEC and strict requirements for the siting, construction, and operation of new disposal facilities were enacted, many communities found it beyond their financial and managerial capability to continue to dispose of waste in traditional ways. Consequently, many of the local municipalities in Ulster County requested that the Ulster County government assume the responsibility for solid waste management, and the Agency was created by the New York State Legislature pursuant to Chapter 936 of the Public Authorities Law approved December of 1986. The Agency's organizational structure consists of a five-member Board of Directors; an Executive Director; Agency Counsel; a seven-member management team; forty administrative and operations personnel; and engineering consultants on an as needed basis.

In order to sustain the Ulster County Solid Waste Management Program, and keep solid waste removal prices competitive, the Agency developed an Expanded Services Program to provide Ulster County businesses and residents with dumpster and/or roll-off service. More information on these services is available.

About the County

Ulster County is located in the Mid-Hudson Valley Region of New York State approximately 90 miles north of' New York City, and 50 miles south of' Albany. The County covers approximately 1,140 square miles. Today, the population is estimated at 177,000 based on the 2000 Census.

The economic base of the County varies and is made up of industrial, commercial, retail service (including tourism), governmental (state and institutional), and agricultural employees. There are 24 municipalities in the County: 3 villages, 1 city, and 20 towns. Historically, the municipalities of Ulster County were individually responsible for managing solid waste, and there was no coordinated Countywide system for solid waste management.