Richland Creek Road Landfill - Buford, Georgia Solid Waste Management Facility

Richland Creek Road Landfill is a municipal solid waste landfill located at 5691 South Richland Creek Road in Buford, Georgia, United States. Operated by Republic Services, Inc., the facility has been in operation since 1989 and is currently open, with an expected closure year of 2030. It serves the waste management needs of Gwinnett County and the surrounding region. The landfill operates under the regulatory framework of the US EPA, including RCRA Subtitle D for municipal solid waste and Clean Air Act regulations for landfill gas management. As a Subtitle D facility, it is subject to requirements for liners, leachate collection, groundwater monitoring, and gas control. The site's long operational history and planned closure date indicate a mature facility with established infrastructure. Richland Creek Road Landfill plays a significant role in regional solid waste management, providing disposal capacity for residential and commercial waste. Its location in a rapidly growing metropolitan area near Atlanta underscores its importance. The facility's gas collection system helps mitigate methane emissions, contributing to local air quality and greenhouse gas reduction efforts.

The landfill's location in Gwinnett County, Georgia, places it in a humid subtropical climate with high rainfall, which increases leachate generation and the need for robust leachate management systems. Proximity to the Chattahoochee River watershed and residential communities requires careful groundwater monitoring and odor control. Landfill gas collection is critical to reduce methane leakage, a potent greenhouse gas. The facility's operations must balance waste disposal needs with environmental protection in a densely populated area.