This presentation on landfill reclamation (i.e., landfill mining) highlights its importance to the evolving landscape of municipal solid waste  management and environmental restoration in the U.S., particularly in the Northeast. Landfill reclamation is a viable strategy for recovering valuable land, airspace, and materials while mitigating environmental risks associated with aging, unlined MSW disposal sites. 

In its simplest form, landfill reclamation involves excavating and processing excavated waste. Recovered recyclable materials can be sold or re-used, recovered land and airspace repurposed for (re)development, and a long-term environmental liability removed or dramatically reduced. Advanced sorting technologies, remediation techniques, and enhanced soil stabilization methods have improved reclamation efficiency.

Despite the potential benefits, landfill reclamation projects are rare because of their significant real and perceived engineering, environmental, and financial challenges, and because they present technical hurdles. Although implementation has been limited, reclamation projects should be more widely considered as the technological and social landscapes have shifted since early disposal regulations were enacted.

This presentation will address the fundamentals of landfill reclamation and highlight the need for adaptive policies that align with technological advancements, environmental priorities, and the evolving demands of land-use planning.