Rio Blanco Cnty Road & Bridge Dept Landfill - Meeker, Colorado Solid Waste Management

Rio Blanco Cnty Road & Bridge Dept operates a landfill located in Meeker, Colorado, approximately 16.9 miles west of the town. The facility is operational and serves the solid waste management needs of Rio Blanco County. As a landfill, it plays a key role in the region's waste disposal infrastructure. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), specifically RCRA Subtitle D for municipal solid waste landfills, and Clean Air Act regulations for landfill gas management. Colorado state regulations further govern landfill operations, including groundwater monitoring and leachate management. The landfill's NAICS code 562212 indicates it is a solid waste landfill, typically handling municipal or industrial waste. Given its rural location in western Colorado, the landfill likely serves a relatively small population. Environmental considerations include methane gas generation from decomposing waste, which may be managed through gas collection systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Leachate management and groundwater protection are also critical, especially given the proximity to local water resources. The facility's operational status ensures continued waste disposal capacity for the county.

Landfills in Colorado, particularly in rural areas like Rio Blanco County, face environmental challenges related to methane emissions from decomposing organic waste. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and landfill gas collection systems are often required to mitigate these emissions. Leachate, the liquid that percolates through waste, must be managed to prevent groundwater contamination. The facility's location in a semi-arid region may reduce leachate volume but still requires careful monitoring. Community proximity and traffic from waste hauling are additional considerations, though the remote location likely minimizes these impacts.