Tercio Landfill - Solid Waste Management Facility near Trinidad, Colorado

Tercio Landfill is an operational solid waste facility located near Stonewall, Trinidad, in Las Animas County, Colorado, United States. As a landfill, it provides waste disposal services for the surrounding region, handling municipal solid waste under the classification NAICS 562212. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the US EPA, specifically RCRA Subtitle D which governs municipal solid waste landfills, and the Clean Air Act's landfill gas rules. These regulations require proper liner systems, leachate management, and gas collection to minimize environmental impact. In Colorado, landfills must also comply with state-specific solid waste regulations enforced by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Tercio Landfill plays a key role in local waste management infrastructure, serving communities in Las Animas County. Its operational status ensures ongoing waste disposal capacity for the area. Proper management of landfill gas and leachate is critical to mitigate methane emissions and protect groundwater, particularly given the facility's proximity to rural areas.

Landfills like Tercio Landfill must manage landfill gas, primarily methane, a potent greenhouse gas, through collection and flaring or energy recovery systems. Leachate, generated by rainwater percolating through waste, requires careful collection and treatment to prevent groundwater contamination. The facility's location in a rural area near Stonewall means community proximity and traffic impacts are considerations. Colorado's semi-arid climate reduces leachate volumes but still necessitates robust environmental controls.