Payments easing NIMBY reaction to Texas landfill

Not in my backyard (NIMBY) objections are widespread in the waste and recycling business, particularly regarding landfills. In and near Waco, Texas, the city’s government reportedly has negotiated cash payments with nearby property owners who had signed petitions objecting to the landfill while it was in its planning stages.

According to a May report from the Waco Tribune-Herald, settlements have been made with signers of 10 different petitions filed to oppose a landfill that has been planned by the city of Waco’s government. The potentially disgruntled neighbors have received more than $1 million combined, according to the report.

“The settlements pave a speedy path forward to the site’s permitting, as the city strives to have a new landfill open before the old one reaches its fill point," writes Kourtney David of the Tribune-Herald.

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The report cites Waco Solid Waste Director Kody Petillo as saying the settlements have been approved by Waco City Council and that the negotiations sped up the permitting process by nearly one year. If the rest of the process goes smoothly, a permit for the new landfill will be in hand by August, the report says.

The faster process, though costly up front, could save money later since the city’s existing landfill is projected to be at capacity by around July 2025. The new landfill is predicted to receive about 350,000 tons of solid waste each year.

The Tribune-Herald says the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality became involved in the process as early as 2021, vetting the eligibility of petitioners and making rulings to consolidate petitioners into groups.

“In addition to settlements with neighbors who remain, the city has bought surrounding land from owners who otherwise might have had standing to pursue contested case hearings,” David writes.

Land owners with whom settlements have been reached ahead of time include a cemetery, a helicopter flight operator and several residential property owners.