Dive Brief:

• Yesterday, the Orange County Solid Waste Division in Florida told commissioners that they are working hard to improve odors at the nearby Young Park landfill. For months, residents have complained about the "rotten egg" odor, saying it "permeates" the skin. Complaints have come in from residents as far as St. Cloud, which is nearly 18 miles from the landfill.
• An official "odor plan" has been put in place for the landfill. Misters have been installed, which have helped improve the scent, and the department also stopped mixing construction and demolition waste with household waste. Officials also plan to close down a section of the landfill to expand a gas collection system.
• The next public meeting to discuss the issue is on Oct. 28. Solid Waste Director Jim Becker told News 6 that officials will continue to fix the issue "until we don't get anymore complaints from anybody."

Dive Insight:

15 inches of rain flooded the growing landfill in August, which initially caused the odor, according to Becker. Since then, the Solid Waste Division has worked hard to improve the terrible scent, but Becker warned that the efforts would "take some time."

Odors are an inherent part of landfills and have led to complaints in counties across the nation, including areas of Pennsylvania and Kentucky. They're a tricky problem to solve, however officials in Orange County have proved that a solution is well in reach. 

Despite issues such as bad odor, SWANA CEO David Biderman explained to Waste Dive in August that "landfills need to continue to be good neighbors."

"Landfills are essential parts of our national infrastructure," he added. "It's essential that they operate properly to protect health and the environment."