Are landfills really that bad?

It’s no surprise that landfills consistently rank at the top of the Saint Consulting Group annual survey about which property development Americans hate the most for their local community.

This year, landfill development garnered a 76% opposition rate. That’s bad for our industry, but not as bad as the first two years of the survey when more than 80% opposed landfill development – including a whopping 87% in 2007.

Perhaps the public is starting to see the value in their trash – just as we all have.

Landfills produce methane gas, which can be sold to local utility companies as renewable energy.

Landfills sometimes bring recycling centers, which can commoditize what would otherwise be waste.

Landfills generate a strong and consistent tax base. We know of one rural municipality where residents don’t have to pay a dime toward township property tax because a landfill is there.

Landfills create jobs – good jobs. With the national unemployment rate hovering at 9.2%, just about any municipality could use more jobs.

Landfill operators help build playgrounds, sponsor local Little League teams, donate money for scholarship funds, libraries, fire stations and other community causes. You can read about them every other week in the business notes section of Waste & Recycling News.

Landfills can become green spaces, such as parks and ski hills. Communities and landfill operators, working together, can re-imagine that former eyesore into a destination for out-of-town guests, a boon to local businesses.

Landfills may never fall from the top of the most unwanted list – they’ve been there for all six years of the survey – but with additional public education about the benefits of landfills, perhaps more municipalities will support their development.

Contact WRN at 313-446-5869 or editorial@wastnews.com

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