Jack Newlun guided the Hastings Solid Waste Landfill through formidable regulations. “I got to witness the modernization of solid waste into the new era, which is Subtitle D regulations, and that covers how it’s regulated and how it’s regulated on how it’s constructed … ultimately to protect the environment and groundwater,” he said. Newlun, 62, will retire on Feb. 8 from his post as solid waste superintendent.
Newlun started with the city in the early 1980s, working with the city engineering department on public works projects. In 1995, Newlun became the city’s solid waste superintendent environmental officer. In 1994, federal regulations for Environmental Protection Agency subtitle D came into effect for all operating municipal landfills. Prior to that, there were 428 permitted landfills in the state of Nebraska.
There are currently 22 landfills. “So everything became more regionalized,” Newlun said. Hastings started building phase 1 of 6 on the solid waste landfill at 725 S. Southern Hills Drive in 1996. It’s a six-county regional facility. “I’ve been very fortunate to be on the groundbreaking cusp of the new solid waste management era we’re into for today’s world,” he said. “It’s a lot different from what it used to be.”