Dive Brief:
- A shuttered landfill in Ohio that began accepting waste in 1929 has found a second life as a wildlife habitat.
- Upon its closure in 1993, the site received layers of clay, topsoil and grass that measured eight feet deep. The natural sanctuary includes a large stream and now hosts birds, insects and animals, drawing nature enthusiasts and bird watchers to the site.
- Waste Management, the site owner, partnered with local wildlife experts to create the refuge. The landfill obtained its wildlife habitat certification in 2010.
Dive Insight:
Costs associated with maintaining the site are around $200,000 annually. Waste Management works with the Ohio EPA to ensure compliance, and will continue to monitor the site for the next nine years. The company is required to oversee the site for 30 years after closure.
There are different options for landfills after sites reach capacity. A closed site in Sheridan, CO now serves as a shopping center for the community, while other landfills have been converted into golf courses and ski resorts.
