Site Background
Landfills are constructed by layering multiple surfaces to help prevent any leachate from getting into aquifers. The first layer is a liner made from clay and durable synthetic plastic. Next is the layer that helps collect and remove any liquids (leachate). There is also a storm water management system that helps stop the water from flowing through/into the garbage. Methane collection systems are placed around to remove landfill gas as it is generated.
Community Impacts
The Wicomico County landfill, just 1.4 miles away from a community known as the “Reservation" to locals but formally known as Manokin, has been dealing with an uphill battle since the landfill was put in and continued to grow over the years. Talks of expanding the landfill have circulated but were shut down by multiple communities fighting back against having more land taken to become a mountain of trash. The Manokin community is made up of predominately low-income people of color. With 51% of the population being black, 37% being white, 7% being Asian and 1% other, this is an example of environmental injustice. This community is being subjected to unfair conditions, since the neighborhood was established before the County built a landfill right down the road.
The fences that help keep waste confined to the landfill broke in 2009 from 62 mph winds, which caused debris to be blown right into the community. These fences also catch a lot of the waste on a regular basis, which makes them more susceptible to break in the future.
The fences also cannot keep out the constant smell of trash that the wind blows directly to the community, or the swarms of seagulls that the smell attracts to the area.
Additionally, areas around landfills typically decrease the property value of the homes.
Asbestos is also permitted to be dumped in the landfill (with 24-hour notice, and placed in a trench covered in soil). Despite all precautions, asbestos is widely known to cause lung, throat, and kidney cancer, mesothelioma, and/or lung damage. There have not been any direct issues reported thus far, but it is a serious potential risk.
The fences that help keep waste confined to the landfill broke in 2009 from 62 mph winds, which caused debris to be blown right into the community. These fences also catch a lot of the waste on a regular basis, which makes them more susceptible to break in the future.
The fences also cannot keep out the constant smell of trash that the wind blows directly to the community, or the swarms of seagulls that the smell attracts to the area.
Additionally, areas around landfills typically decrease the property value of the homes.
Asbestos is also permitted to be dumped in the landfill (with 24-hour notice, and placed in a trench covered in soil). Despite all precautions, asbestos is widely known to cause lung, throat, and kidney cancer, mesothelioma, and/or lung damage. There have not been any direct issues reported thus far, but it is a serious potential risk.
Environmental impacts
Over the years the landfill has only gotten bigger and is now technically the tallest point of elevation within the Delmarva region. This idea began in Virgina Beach, VA with a landfill nicknamed "Mt. Trashmore," popularizing the concept of an elevated landfill. Landfills can cause many different environmental impacts on the soil, plants, groundwater, organisms, and humans close by if built or monitored incorrectly.
The areas around landfills are also highly susceptible to roadside litter due to accommodations for trash volume not being met. Also, if the landfill is closed for any reason, the amount of litter typically increases in the following days. Litter has a huge impact on all aspects of the environment: One example is if litter gets into waterways, the debris contaminates habitats for wildlife, which includes our food sources.
There are multiple measures taken to ensure that the sludge of the landfill does not get into the aquifers and undergoes proper disposal. However, accidents can happen which put us all at risk, such as frequent Eastern Shore floods which increase risk of waste (or toxins) flowing right back into neighboring community yards.
The areas around landfills are also highly susceptible to roadside litter due to accommodations for trash volume not being met. Also, if the landfill is closed for any reason, the amount of litter typically increases in the following days. Litter has a huge impact on all aspects of the environment: One example is if litter gets into waterways, the debris contaminates habitats for wildlife, which includes our food sources.
There are multiple measures taken to ensure that the sludge of the landfill does not get into the aquifers and undergoes proper disposal. However, accidents can happen which put us all at risk, such as frequent Eastern Shore floods which increase risk of waste (or toxins) flowing right back into neighboring community yards.
what is being done?
In 2018, a meeting was held about expanding the landfill again. However, this idea was shut down because community members attended the meeting to speak out against expansion. In 2019, the County started searching for new locations for another landfill to replace the current one, but this idea began causing friction within neighboring communities.
Other than community backlash against talks of expanding, no further actions have been carried out to promote environmental justice for this situation.
Other than community backlash against talks of expanding, no further actions have been carried out to promote environmental justice for this situation.
potential solutions
The County could expand the landfill, but that does not solve any of the communities’ issues, instead making the issue even worse for them. However, there must be a place to dispose of waste in Wicomico County. Finding a new place to put a landfill located outside a certain radius of residential neighborhoods could be a potential solution, but many environmental concerns would still be an issue. There is no specific way to solve this problem without causing issues in another area, which means there are many considerations to weigh when figuring out a solution.
Another plan the state of Maryland looked into in 2014 was the process of "zero waste." This would help slow down the growth of the landfill, but the landfill is already nearing capacity, and this plan would not stop growth altogether. After Larry Hogan became governor of Maryland, this plan was replaced.
Two other options are constructing a new county landfill or a regional landfill. These would require a new location and usage of all the environmental safety measures, which would be extremely expensive and time-consuming.
A resource recovery/renewable energy facility could be another option which would require a new facility being built near the landfill. This facility would turn waste into renewable energy, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions, creates economic development for the county, and decreases dependence on fossil fuels. One downside of building this facility is the great monetary expense, as well as ensuring the location fits the needs for the facility, which would likely create new environmental and community impacts.
Another plan the state of Maryland looked into in 2014 was the process of "zero waste." This would help slow down the growth of the landfill, but the landfill is already nearing capacity, and this plan would not stop growth altogether. After Larry Hogan became governor of Maryland, this plan was replaced.
Two other options are constructing a new county landfill or a regional landfill. These would require a new location and usage of all the environmental safety measures, which would be extremely expensive and time-consuming.
A resource recovery/renewable energy facility could be another option which would require a new facility being built near the landfill. This facility would turn waste into renewable energy, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions, creates economic development for the county, and decreases dependence on fossil fuels. One downside of building this facility is the great monetary expense, as well as ensuring the location fits the needs for the facility, which would likely create new environmental and community impacts.
additional resources
- https://conduitstreet.mdcounties.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/report-2014-12-zero-waste-maryland-mde.pdf
- https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/land/RecyclingandOperationsprogram/Documents/EO-01.01.2017.13.pdf
- http://www.wicomicocounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/4389/Wicomico-County-2014-2024-Solid-Waste-Management-Plan
- https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2018/10/30/wicomico-council-delays-land-vote-amid-concerns/1818728002/
- https://earth911.com/business-policy/how-landfills-work/
- https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/LAND/Documents/MSWMR%20%2720.pdf