Bridgeton Landfill is an inactive landfill that is experiencing a subsurface, heat-producing reaction. The reaction is occurring deep within the landfill. It causes waste to decompose at an accelerated rate, producing excess gas and liquid. Odor is the byproduct of this gas and liquid.

We are dedicating considerable resources to controlling odor and managing the reaction. Missouri Department of Natural Resources publicly available data confirms a steady decline in actual odor occurrences emanating from the site in the past year. Today, 9 out of every 10 odor complaints received are eventually determined to have originated from non-landfill sources.

We are making remarkable progress. Bridgeton Landfill has invested approximately $200 million in odor control, environmental remediation and site improvements to manage the effects of the reaction. Investments include:

• Assembling one of the most expert Landfill management teams in the nation, with more than 130 years of combined experience, to lead approximately 50 technicians and contractors;
• Installing a 46 acre synthetic liner over the South Quarry and portions of the North Quarry;
• Adding 36 Temperature Monitoring Probes to measure subsurface temperatures and evaluate movement of the reaction;
• Upgrading the gas extraction system to include more than 230 gas extraction points and 51,000 feet of gas collection lines;
• Making substantial and sophisticated upgrades to the flare system to destroy captured gas;
• Building a highly-advanced leachate pretreatment plant in one-fourth the normal construction time to control odor during the pretreatment process, as well as upgrading the leachate collection system;
• Constructing a waste water conveyance line that connects with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, thereby removing more than 200 leachate transport trucks from local roads each week; and
• Introducing 28 cooling points in the “Neck” area between the Landfill’s North and South Quarries, reducing subsurface temperatures by as much as 50% in nearby temperature monitoring probes.

We have also greatly improved coordination and communication with local first responders. We worked together to update the Landfill’s Incident Management Plan. The plan contemplates various incident scenarios, establishes roles and responsibilities and identifies resources available onsite for a coordinated response in the event of an incident.

In addition, we leverage the power of science, advanced technologies and innovation to enhance site management. We use millions of microorganisms, known as biomass, to consume constituents in leachate as part of the pretreatment process. We have real-time online odor monitoring and response capabilities. We also pilot alternative technologies, to include an innovative filtration process that uses treated wood chips to absorb and eliminate odor-causing particles.

We are part of an industry leading Company that through subsidiaries owns and operates approximately 300 active and closed landfills nationwide. Though we did not cause the reaction, or its byproduct odors, we are uniquely capable of managing and successfully remedying complex site challenges.

Our efforts are working. Odors have been substantially reduced, and the reaction is in a managed state.

No one could be more committed to this community, and to doing what is right for our neighbors.