Beneficial Uses of Closed Landfills

The solid waste industry has partnered with many communities throughout the country to create beneficial uses of closed landfills, creating commercial, recreational and other community benefits.

Landfills in many communities have wild life habitats, natural wetlands and community facilities where school children and others can learn about environmental stewardship, waste reduction, recycling and other “green” activities. Other beneficial landfill reuse projects provide recreational areas like golf courses and bike parks to a number of communities nationwide. Even where landfills have been closed and land reuse projects have been created, the landfill operator continues to collect landfill gas these sites continue to produce, allowing for continued landfill-gas-to-energy.

Here are some examples of such activities:

• Republic Services Caps Landfill with Flexible Solar Cover
• Waste Management Creates Elephant Preserve
• New York Turns Largest Landfill into Large Urban Park