Proposed Landfill Extension Leads to Trash Talking

(WOLO) COLUMBIA, S.C. Some Richland County residents say they’re fighting to keep the Northeast Landfill from extending their current contract. Right now, the landfill is expected to shutdown in 2019, but landfill owners are asking to stay open until 2037, or until they’re able to use the remaining 85 percent of unused space. Some residents in complete opposition, say the extension could put the environment and their overall health at risk. Some who attended the meeting in support of the proposal say shutting the landfill down in 7 years of in another 23 isn’t going to ease the health affects that are already present. Landfill owners are willing to increase the amount of money they’re paying the county to dump out of state trash. The increase would help the county generate more than 3 million dollars in renvenue for the life of the landfill. Still, some residents say their health isn’t worth the price. Richland County Council members are still looking into how granting an extension could affect residents. An educational meeting on the issue is set for the end of December.