Ontario County SLF Landfill - Stanley, New York | Solid Waste Management

Ontario County SLF is a municipal solid waste landfill located in Stanley, New York, within Ontario County. The facility is owned by Ontario County, NY, and operated by Casella Waste Systems, Inc., a major waste services company in the United States. The landfill has been operational since 1974 and is scheduled to close in 2028, indicating a long-term role in regional waste management. As a landfill in New York State, Ontario County SLF operates under the regulatory framework of the US EPA's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle D, which governs municipal solid waste landfills, and the Clean Air Act (CAA) for landfill gas emissions. The facility is subject to state-level regulations from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). Typical landfill operations include waste compaction, daily cover, leachate collection and treatment, and landfill gas management to control methane emissions. The landfill serves the waste disposal needs of Ontario County and surrounding areas. Its long operational history and planned closure in 2028 suggest it is a mature facility with established infrastructure. The operator, Casella Waste Systems, is known for integrating sustainability practices, including landfill gas-to-energy projects, which may be relevant to this site's environmental management.

Landfills like Ontario County SLF pose environmental risks primarily through methane emissions from decomposing waste and potential leachate contamination of groundwater. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and federal regulations under the Clean Air Act require large landfills to collect and control landfill gas. Leachate management is critical to prevent groundwater pollution, especially given the facility's location in a county with agricultural and residential areas. Proximity to communities also raises concerns about odor, traffic, and air quality impacts.