A landfill expansion was denied two years ago but a new effort is underway to extend the life of the trash facility in the Slate Belt. Grand Central Landfill, which is operated by Waste Management, in Plainfield Township, is planning to submit a rezoning application later this year designed to expand the size of its operation. The existing landfill has about six more years of availability to accept trash, according to Waste Management Senior Community Relations Specialist Adrienne Fors. The expansion would extend that time by 20 years, according to Fors.
Waste Management and Grand Central are looking to rezone 211 acres on the east side of Pen Argyl Road, which is across the street from the existing landfill. The land proposed for expansion currently is zoned for farm and forest uses. Grand Central is seeking to change that designation to solid waste processing and disposal. The entire new property would total 325 acres with 81 acres used as landfill, 52 acres for support activity and 192 acres left untouched to serve as a buffer area to the surrounding neighborhood.
In July 2020, the township Board of Supervisors voted 3-0 to deny the rezoning application and did not refer the request to the township planning commission for review. Several residents had spoken at the 2020 supervisors’ meeting and asked the board not to allow the expansion. Through the years, there have been multiple complaints to Grand Central and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection about foul odors emanating from the landfill.