New River Regional Landfill - Operational Landfill in Raiford, Florida

New River Regional Landfill is an operational solid waste management facility located on State Road 121 in Raiford, Union County, Florida, United States. As a regional landfill, it serves the waste disposal needs of the surrounding area, handling municipal solid waste under the regulatory oversight of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the US Environmental Protection Agency. The facility operates under the framework of US EPA RCRA Subtitle D, which governs municipal solid waste landfills, and the Clean Air Act's landfill gas emission standards. As a landfill, its primary technical operations involve waste placement, compaction, and daily cover, along with systems for leachate collection and gas management. The NAICS code 562212 indicates it is classified as a solid waste landfill, typically handling significant tonnages per year. New River Regional Landfill plays a key role in Union County's waste management infrastructure, providing essential disposal capacity for local communities. Its environmental significance lies in the management of landfill gas, which can be captured for energy or flared to reduce methane emissions, and leachate treatment to protect groundwater resources. The facility's location in a rural area of Florida influences its operational practices and community impact.

Landfills in Florida face specific environmental challenges due to the state's high water table and frequent rainfall, which increase leachate generation and the risk of groundwater contamination. Effective leachate management and liner systems are critical. Additionally, landfill gas, primarily methane, must be collected and controlled to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and odor issues. The proximity to rural communities also requires careful traffic management and odor control measures.