PAOLI Landfill - Solid Waste Management in Paoli, Colorado

PAOLI is a landfill facility located 3/4 mile northeast of Paoli, Colorado, in Phillips County. As an operational landfill, it handles solid waste disposal for the surrounding area, contributing to the region's waste management infrastructure. The facility operates under the jurisdiction of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Colorado state regulations, ensuring compliance with environmental standards. The landfill is classified under NAICS code 562212, which covers solid waste landfills. The facility's scale is typical for a rural Colorado landfill, serving a small community. Regulatory oversight includes RCRA Subtitle D for municipal solid waste and Clean Air Act landfill gas rules, which mandate gas collection and control systems to mitigate methane emissions. Environmental considerations for PAOLI include landfill gas management, leachate control, and groundwater monitoring. The facility's location in a rural area reduces community proximity concerns, but proper management of these factors is essential to minimize environmental impact. The landfill plays a key role in local waste management, supporting public health and sanitation.

In the high plains of Colorado, landfills like PAOLI must manage methane emissions from decomposing waste, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Leachate, a liquid that percolates through waste, requires careful collection and treatment to protect groundwater resources. The facility's rural setting reduces immediate community exposure, but ongoing monitoring and compliance with EPA landfill gas rules are critical for environmental protection.