Overview
Waste Management - Opelika is an operational landfill in Opelika, Alabama, serving the solid waste management needs of Lee County and the surrounding region.
Waste Management - Opelika is a landfill facility located at 4210 Lee Rd 183 in Opelika, Alabama, within Lee County. Operated by Waste Management, one of the largest solid waste services companies in the United States, this facility plays a key role in the region's waste disposal infrastructure. The landfill is currently operational and handles municipal solid waste, contributing to the area's waste management capacity. The facility operates under the regulatory framework of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM). As a Subtitle D landfill under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), it must comply with standards for liner systems, leachate collection, groundwater monitoring, and landfill gas management. The Clean Air Act (CAA) also imposes requirements for landfill gas collection and control to reduce methane emissions. Landfills like Waste Management - Opelika are critical for managing the waste generated by residential, commercial, and industrial activities in the region. Proper operation ensures environmental protection through containment of waste and management of byproducts such as leachate and landfill gas. The facility's location in a growing area underscores its importance for sustainable waste management and community health.
Environmental context
Landfills in Alabama, particularly in the humid subtropical climate of Lee County, face environmental challenges related to leachate generation and methane emissions. Leachate, formed when rainwater percolates through waste, must be carefully collected and treated to prevent groundwater contamination. Landfill gas, primarily methane and carbon dioxide, is a potent greenhouse gas; collection systems are typically required to mitigate emissions. Proximity to residential areas and traffic from waste haulage also present community considerations. Regulatory oversight by ADEM and EPA ensures that these risks are managed through permits and monitoring.
Frequently asked questions
Waste Management - Opelika is located at 4210 Lee Rd 183, Opelika, Alabama 36804, in Lee County, United States.
As a landfill, Waste Management - Opelika accepts municipal solid waste (MSW) from residential, commercial, and industrial sources, subject to local regulations and permits.
The facility is operated by Waste Management, a leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America.
Landfills in Alabama must comply with the US EPA's RCRA Subtitle D standards for municipal solid waste landfills, including requirements for liners, leachate management, groundwater monitoring, and landfill gas control. State regulations are enforced by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM).
The facility likely employs engineered systems such as composite liners, leachate collection and treatment, groundwater monitoring wells, and landfill gas collection to mitigate environmental impacts. Compliance with federal and state permits ensures ongoing environmental protection.
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