State legislatures, including in Oregon, Ohio and Hawai’i, have been busy enacting new restrictions on landfill siting and operations this year. Nevertheless, operators are finding new ways to grow amid capacity issues, sometimes in those same states.
Here’s a look at recent landfill news from around the U.S.
Republic Services’ planned Coffin Butte Landfill gets preliminary approval
The Benton County, Oregon, planning division recommended that county commissioners approve Republic Services’ expansion plan for the Coffin Butte Landfill in Corvallis. The division released a report outlining its decision in June.
The report came shortly after a state bill became law that requires Republic to enhance its methane detection and mitigation efforts. The law applies just to the Coffin Butte Landfill, despite an earlier version of the bill extending its provisions to all landfills in the state.
Republic Services said in a statement after the law was enacted that it was reviewing the impact of SB 726.
“We believe all landfills in the state of Oregon should be held to the same regulatory standards. We continue to work with our regulatory partners and other stakeholders on the testing and assessment of new technologies that are protective of our employees and the communities we serve,” Melissa Quillard, senior manager of external communications, said in an emailed statement.
Meanwhile, the landfill drew one step closer to expanding. Benton County’s supplemental staff report was released on June 26, after the planning commission held several public hearings. The commission planned additional opportunities for public comment on July 8 and 9.
The report includes a summary of more than 1,900 comments received related to the application. About 17% of the comments listed methane as a concern, while air quality and health impacts were included in 13% and 12% of comments, respectively. Other top concerns included noise, odors and groundwater contamination.
Republic had previously applied for an expansion in 2021. That application was recommended for approval by the county's Solid Waste Advisory Council, but the county planning commission denied the application. Republic initially attempted to appeal that decision, but ultimately decided to review its options before resubmitting an updated expansion application instead.
The new application halves the volume of waste Republic proposes to accept at the landfill, cutting the years of useful life to six from the initially proposed 12.
The 462-acre landfill includes a working face roughly 1.5 acres to 2 acres in size. The proposal would move the working face from north of Coffin Butte Road to south of the road. Republic had previously proposed to close the road entirely, but now it plans to add a lane and keep the road open.
The planning commission has until Sept. 26 to reach a final decision on the application.
Other state bill news
Hawai'i Gov. Josh Green signed a bill into law banning new landfills on O'ahu from being sited on agricultural land or above a drinking water source. Honolulu officials have said the restriction likely means the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill's life will be extended, though they're exploring alternatives like sending automotive shredder residue to the H-Power refuse-derived fuel facility run by Reworld on the island, Hawai’i Public Radio reported in June.
Meanwhile, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill into law that allows local health districts to set C&D waste tipping fees. Win Waste Innovations opposed the bill over concerns it could impact the company’s Fostoria landfill. The legislation was introduced by state Sen. Bill Reineke, whose district includes that facility.
Lake County, Montana, close to opening new MSW landfill capacity
Lake County, Montana, broke ground on a new landfill cell on June 13, bringing the facility closer to accepting residential waste for the first time. The facility, expected to cost around $3.2 million, will open once the first seven-acre cell is completed.
The expansion received approval from Montana's Department of Environmental Quality last year. The total project encompasses three cells across 50 acres, though 29 of those will remain unused.
The current landfill only accepts C&D waste, tires and some other inert waste. The landfill was previously expected to close in 2026, but its lifespan is now extended by 30 years or more, county officials told the Lake County Leader.
Lake County expects to save $900,000 annually by disposing of waste locally rather than shipping it to a Republic Services-operated landfill in Missoula, per the Leader.
Lake County is also in contention for a Montana recycling grant. That process runs through the end of the year.
Landfill capacity news
- Manchester, Connecticut, staff are proposing to expand the city-owned Olcott Street landfill by an additional 8.5 acres. Staff project the expansion would cost up to $12 million but could net Manchester about $200 million and extend the landfill's life until 2045, providing much-needed capacity for the state. (CT Insider)
- York County, Pennsylvania, is moving ahead with plans to build a transfer station as questions remain around the life of Republic Services’ Modern Landfill in the county. The company had previously proposed expanding the facility, but that was rejected by Lower Windsor Township. (York Daily Record)
- The Brunswick County Landfill in North Carolina is approaching its planned capacity of 1.3 million cubic yards. Local officials are preparing for the landfill's closure, with remaining waste shipped to the Sampson County Landfill operated by GFL Environmental. (Wilmington StarNews)
- WM's proposed expansion of its Grand Central Landfill in Plainfield Township, Pennsylvania, is scheduled to get a hearing in August. The company has been pushing to get a rezoning request on the agenda for years as the existing facility nears capacity. (Lehigh Valley Live)
Other landfill news
- The Board of County Commissioners in Polk County, Florida, voted to approve a resolution increasing the North Central Landfill disposal fee to $46 per ton for MSW and C&D debris, effective Oct. 1. The resolution also includes a 5% annual fee increase for the next five years. (Polk County, Florida)
- GFL Environmental continues to field odor complaints from neighbors to its Stoney Creek Landfill in Ontario. The facility, which was previously fined for odor violations, is having issues with its leachate treatment pond. (CHCH News)
