Community Benefits

The value of partnerships, especially in the pursuit of environmental initiatives, cannot be overstated. The successful development and implementation of new ideas and solutions can only be achieved when business, government, communities and citizens work in concert to put all their energy, experience and resources toward a common goal.

At WM, we believe in this kind of collaborative effort. We see it working in big and small ways every day, as we partner with communities to turn closed landfills into parks and baseball fields. We see it working in wildlife protection, as we join forces with environmental groups to develop wetlands and habitats. It is our hope that these partnerships demonstrate that working together to find innovative solutions is a viable and resourceful way to meet the environmental needs of the future.

Chaffee Landfill Partnerships Include

Open House/ Information Fair /Tours
Earth Spirit through the University of Buffalo (for environmental education programs)
Arcade Chamber of Commerce
Arcade Winterfest
Sardinia Historical Society
Town of Sardina Youth Recreation
Pioneer Central School
Kiwanis Club-Holland
Tri County Kiwanis Club of WNY
American Legion Post 737
Veterans of Foreign Wars 374
Boys and Girls Club of Holland

Wildlife Habitat Council

Over the years scientists and birders have discovered that landfills and their buffer properties are providing good nesting habitat for many types of grassland birds. And Chaffee Landfill is no exception.

According to the Massachusetts Audubon Society, large grasslands are fast disappearing in the northeastern United States. A variety of factors are involved, from real estate development to changes in agricultural technologies. To help preserve this important habitat, the organization provides recommendations on how to manage grasslands to support healthy bird populations. These techniques are generally highly consistent with typical management procedures for a closed landfill, and include planting with native grasses and scheduled mowing to prevent the land from returning to forest.

Chaffee Landfill has areas of closed and capped landfill space, and employees have noticed several varieties of birds at the site, including bobolinks, Baltimore orioles, bluebirds, Eastern meadowlarks and kestrels. The company conducts mowing practices that protect ground-nesting birds. Mowing has been postponed in these areas until after August 31st. The increased grassland habitat will allow ground nesting birds the opportunity to raise their young in these areas.

Chaffee Landfill was certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) in 2007 (Corporate Wildlife Habitat Certification/International Accreditation Program). Additional information regarding WHC can be found on their webpage at www.wildlifehc.org). In 2018, Chaffee Landfill's program was deemed successful yet again the WHC and was granted recertification. At that same time, Chaffee Landfill applied for and was awarded their Corporate Lands for Learning (CLL) certification through WHC, which fosters innovative teaching and learning techniques on-site and provides the community with an opportunity to participate in conservation efforts.

WHC has certified hundreds of programs at corporate facilities around the world providing third-party credibility and an objective evaluation of projects. Certification validates wildlife habitat projects to employees as well as the community at large, transferring sustainability into people’s everyday lives.

Economic Benefits

A Host Community Agreement (HCA) is an agreement between a solid WM facility operator and the local community where a solid WM facility is located. The intent of the HCA is to share revenue that the landfill generated with the local community. Chaffee Landfill has a HCA with the Town of Sardinia.

The HCA between WM and the Town of Sardinia annually pays in excess of $1,500,000.

Additional services include:

Free Curbside Collection and Disposal

One Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Drop-Off Days

Annual Spring Clean-up in conjunction with the Town Highway Department

Container Rental and Disposal Service At No Cost for all Town Owned/Operated Facilities, Volunteer Fire Halls/Facilities, and Not-For-Profit Organizations Within the Town of Sardinia

Payment for Heating Costs Directly Associated With Town's Community Pool and Lavatory Facilities Located on Genesse Road

A Fifty percent (50%) Reduction from WM's Standard Collection Rates to Business Customers in the Town of Sardinia

Development and Implementation of a Property Protection Plan

Community Benefits