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QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT LANDFILLS

It is important to have a basic understanding of the landfill being proposed for your community. We suggest that you ask the following questions of both the landfill operator and the local governing boards that will be giving the permits to the landfill operator.

How big will the landfill be in acres?

What is the depth of the landfill in feet, and what will be the height of the highest point of the cap after the landfill is closed?

How much of the acreage will be filled with garbage?

How much of the acreage will be used for the buffer zone?

 How much of the acreage will be unused?

 What is the maximum tons per day they will accept?

Does the contract have a minimum tons per day quota (often called put or pay clauses)? If it does who is responsible for finding the additional tonnage or the money in lieu of the tonnage?

What type of garbage will it be filled with: 

Will they be putting recyclables in the landfill (glass, aluminum, tin, paper, etc.)?

Will they be putting clean organic compostables in the landfill (for example, yard wastes)?

If they are putting recyclables and organic compostables in the landfill will they be putting them in separate cells?

In tons per day, how much of the garbage will come from your town, county, state, out-of-state?

How many years will the landfill be in operation?

Will it be lined and capped? If so what will these be made of?

How long will the operators be responsible for it once it is closed, often referred to as the post-closure period?