New York landfill expansion deemed unnecessary

A county executive in Chemung County, New York, says a previously requested doubling of annual municipal solid waste (MSW) intake at a landfill in the county is unnecessary, even if the state of New York grants its approval.

An online article by WETM-TV in Elmira, New York, says the county reached an agreement in April 2016 with landfill operator Casella Waste Systems Inc., Rutland, Vermont, to stave off a previously requested increase from the current 180,000 tons per year to 410,000 tons per year.

According to the TV station, County Executive Mike Krusen says there has been “a decline in the amount of waste being generated [in the region] due to a slower economy and more recycling than when the expansion was first planned years ago.”

As part of the agreement to keep MSW intake at the lower level, Casella will pay the county $2.5 million per year to operate the landfill rather than the previous amount of $3 million per year.