Dive Brief:

• Casella Waste Systems requested a permit from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in order to expand its Chemung County landfill in Elmira, NY.
• The waste company said the expansion would increase the site’s maximum annual tonnage from 180,000 tons of municipal solid waste to 417,000 tons.
• The current operation occupies 54 acres of the 327 acre site; Casella is looking to add an additional 62 acres of lined landfill space.

Dive Insight:

The move to increase the annual tonnage was initially approved in 2005 by the Chemung County Legislature, but Casella still needs permits from the DEC before the expansion can begin.

The plan includes 19 acres for soil mining, three storm water ponds, a leachate storage lagoon, and access roads. In addition, the company wants to erect a new waste-to-energy facility and an Environmental Stewardship and Education Center.