Casella seeks to reopen Massachusetts landfill

Casella Waste Systems Inc., a Rutland, Vermont-based waste and recycling services provider, is looking to reopen a landfill in Hardwick, Massachusetts, reports MassLive.

During a July 18 meeting, the company told the town’s board of selectmen that it plans to reopen the Hardwick Landfill by 2028 if it can obtain the proper permits and zoning approval.

Casella’s Vice President Brian G. Oliver said the company is anticipating expanding the site to a 38-acre footprint. He added that roughly 50 trucks will enter the landfill per day, with operating hours of 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays.

The expanded site would accept an average of 1,125 tons of waste per day, or 350,000 tons per year, including municipal solid waste and construction and demolition debris.

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As reported by MassLive, revenue generated for the town will come from a $6-per-ton tipping fee, which will equate to roughly $2.1 million annually. This is subject to the board and company negotiating a host community agreement. Additionally, the company would pay $500,000 per year to dispose of landfill leachate at the Gilbertville municipal wastewater treatment facility.

Oliver said the landfill has the capacity to operate for another 13 years, should it reopen. According to MassLive, Casella ceased operations at the Hardwick Landfill following a January 2007 town meeting that rejected a zoning agreement the company sought to continue operating.

The Hardwick board of selectman said they plan to meet to discuss the proposal.

Casella provided Waste Today with the following statement:

"A group of citizens in Hardwick who were interested in spurring economic development in the town approached us about the possibility of reopening the landfill, which has been inactive since the town voted to reject a zoning amendment in 2007 that would have allowed it to continue operating. Casella decided to explore the possibility of re-engaging with the Hardwick community based on the request. The project will only be viable with the appropriate support from the community, and we are at the stage where we are assessing if that interest exists.

We believe that the proposed reopening of this facility represents a good opportunity for the Hardwick community to realize significant public benefit through a host community agreement, and as many solid waste facilities in the Commonwealth have closed in recent years, the additional disposal capacity would serve Massachusetts residents well for approximately 13 years. The proposed project will allow all stakeholders numerous opportunities to provide input at the local, state and federal levels and we look forward to having those conversations with Hardwick residents as that process develops."