High Acres Landfill is once again hosting an exciting and educational Open House for its neighbors! Gather friends and family members and learn about modern landfills, renewable energy, recycling, and more from our expert industry partners. From bus tours to mini-golf to ice cream sundaes, everyone is welcome!
High Acres Landfill & Recycling Center Construction & Operational Update
1st Quarter 2025
Site Information
The High Acres Landfill began in 1971 and joined WM in 1972. The facility provides solid waste management and is located on approximately 1,500 acres. The permitted landfill is around 320 acres.
This update summarizes enhancements that occurred on-site through the 1st quarter of 2025. Going forward, we'll provide community updates on a quarterly basis. Key aspects of the updates will include community benefits, site construction activities, environmental performance and compliance, and site monitoring activities.
Landfill Facts
Total Property: 1,500+ acres
Design Capacity: 3,500 tons per day
Closed Landfill: 72 acres
Western Expansion: 68.1 acres
Parkway Expansion Phase I: 20.1 acres
Parkway Expansion Phase II: 58 acres
Parkway Expansion Phase III: ~150 acres
Site Life: 2051
Community Benefits
Site Construction Activities
Emissions Monitoring
We’re ditching pen and paper and stepping into the digital age with the Mobile Data Collection System (MDCS) app—a WM-made and owned, mobile solution that lets our landfill technicians capture emissions data on the go. No more juggling notebooks in the wind or deciphering smudged handwriting—just real-time, accurate data at our fingertips.
“MDCS is our in-house app, designed to handle complex data, and has evolved through feedback directly from our field teams. Unlike other apps at WM, this one stands out in its complexity, driven by intense regulatory requirements and a well-programmed workflow. As we continue to refine the app, we are focused on continuous improvement, always moving forward and prioritizing progress over perfection.” ~ Bruce Fahs, Director, Gas Operations.
The MDCS application represents a significant shift for our landfill technicians, enabling them to reduce reporting errors, clearly understand areas needing emission response, and relay survey results in real-time to all team members. This technology is just one of many being implemented across our landfill sites to support WM's goal of reducing landfill emissions by 42% by 2031 and increasing the beneficial use of landfill gas.
East Perimeter Berm Project
The East Perimeter Berm Project is complete. Throughout 2025, the perimeter gas header and leachate conveyance systems will be installed.
Summary
WM employs state-of-the-art odor control measures for the industry at the landfill, including more recent measures implemented and described in this update. We remain vigilant in our evaluation and implementation of best management practices and technology to enhance operations. WM continues its commitment to the Department and the community by continuing to conduct continuous ambient monitoring for hydrogen sulfide (H2S) at the South and North Monitoring Station and the Dudley/Northside School. The gas collection/control systems also continue to operate at high levels of efficiency this quarter. The data supports that landfill gas is being collected and not migrating off-site and that there is no indication that emissions pose any health concerns. The site’s gas collection and control system, operating records, odor control programs, off-site H2S monitoring data, enhanced quarterly surface scans, DEC notification hotline and follow-up data from a trained odor detection investigator, and DEC inspection reports, all indicate the landfill is operating in a manner that minimizes off-site odors to the greatest extent practicable.