Dive summary:

• The Black Warrior Solid Waste Disposal Authority in Tuscaloosa, Ala., bought more than three-quarters of a square mile of property adjacent to its County landfill for $4.23 million, securing future landfill expansion for the next 40 years.
• Black Warrior officials say the expansion of their current landfill will dramatically reduce costs in comparison to building a new auxiliary location.
• The land was purchased from the mental health department of Alabama, which was struggling with closing facilities and consolidating services, in part because of budget problems.

From the article:

The Black Warrior Solid Waste Disposal Authority has bought more than three-quarters of a square mile of property adjacent to its Tuscaloosa County landfill from the Alabama Department of Mental Health. It plans to use the land for future landfill expansion and to buffer against eventual city growth.

The landfill is next to U.S. Highway 82 on the western edge of Northport. Earlier this year, the authority bought three parcels totaling 529 acres for $4.23 million to add to the landfill’s existing 300 acres, according to records at the Department of Conservation. The department handles land sales for the state. ...