Bethlehem Landfill - Operational Landfill in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Bethlehem Landfill is a landfill facility located at 2335 Applebutter Road in Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, United States. Owned by Waste Connections, Inc., the landfill has been operational since 1960 and is set to close in 2025. It serves the solid waste management needs of the surrounding region. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including RCRA Subtitle D for municipal solid waste landfills and Clean Air Act regulations for landfill gas emissions. As a landfill in Pennsylvania, it must comply with state-specific environmental standards for leachate management, groundwater monitoring, and methane gas collection. Bethlehem Landfill plays a significant role in the local waste management infrastructure, providing disposal capacity for municipal solid waste. Its long operational history and scheduled closure reflect typical landfill lifecycles. Post-closure care will involve ongoing monitoring of groundwater and landfill gas to ensure environmental protection.

Landfills in Pennsylvania must manage landfill gas, primarily methane, through collection and control systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Leachate management is critical to prevent groundwater contamination, especially given the proximity to the Lehigh River watershed. Community proximity and truck traffic are common concerns for landfills in suburban areas like Bethlehem.