TOWN OF RODMAN, New York (WWNY) – The Rodman landfill, operated by the Development Authority of the North Country, is nearing the end of its first phase and is now expanding into a second phase following a decade-long planning process.
The site has served St. Lawrence, Jefferson, and Lewis counties since the early 1990s.
“If you were born after 1992 and you’ve lived in St. Lawrence, Jefferson, or Lewis counties, then every bit of waste that has been generated by you for your entire lifetime is here in the Rodman landfill,” said Carrie Tuttle, chief operating officer of DANC.
Phase 1 running out of room
Tuttle said the first phase of the landfill is approaching its maximum elevation and has roughly one year of remaining capacity.
“The old phase is at a certain elevation and we’re about, at, almost at the maximum height. We have about another year that we’ll be able to place waste in there,” Tuttle said.
Southern expansion adds 50 years
The southern expansion that makes up Phase 2 is expected to carry the region through 2072.
“When we did southern expansion, that gave us about another 50 years worth of landfill life,” Tuttle said.
Recycling could add years to landfill life
DANC officials said residents can help extend the landfill’s lifespan by increasing recycling. Tuttle said a 50-percent increase in the recycling rate could add seven years to the site’s useful life.
“If we increase the recycling rate by 50-percent, which we have that much material coming in that could be recycled, that would extend the life of the landfill by seven years,” Tuttle said.
Regional growth and economic development
With capacity secured through 2072, Tuttle said the landfill represents a significant asset for the region’s economic future.
“That is a huge asset for the north country for economic development or other potential. Because if we did have any additional waste that came in from a project like Micron, we’d be able to handle that,” Tuttle said.
The Rodman landfill is one of 26 currently active landfills across New York state.
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