People's Landfill, Inc. - Birch Run, Michigan Landfill | WM Solid Waste Management

People's Landfill, Inc. is a municipal solid waste landfill located at 4143 Rathbun Road in Birch Run, Michigan, United States. Owned and operated by WM (formerly Waste Management), the facility has been in operation since 1968 and is projected to remain open until 2046, indicating a long-term waste management asset for the region. The landfill 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) landfill gas rules. As a Subtitle D facility, it must comply with requirements for liner systems, leachate collection, groundwater monitoring, and landfill gas management. The site's long operational history and future closure date suggest it is a large-scale facility with significant remaining capacity. As a major waste disposal site in Saginaw County, People's Landfill plays a critical role in managing the region's solid waste. Its proximity to Birch Run and surrounding communities necessitates careful management of environmental impacts, including methane emissions, leachate control, and traffic. The facility's long-term operation underscores its importance to local waste infrastructure.

The landfill is situated in a rural area near Birch Run, Michigan, with potential groundwater proximity due to the region's hydrology. Landfill gas collection and methane leakage are key environmental concerns, as methane is a potent greenhouse gas. Leachate management is critical to prevent groundwater contamination, especially given the facility's long operational history. Community proximity and truck traffic also pose local environmental and quality-of-life considerations.