Closure of City of Waco landfill prompts new waste disposal options

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - The city’s landfill on Hannah Hill Road will close Feb. 28 after reaching capacity, prompting officials to open two new waste disposal facilities.

A transfer station at 6171 S. University Parks Drive in Waco and a new landfill at 4730 TK Parkway in Axtell will open March 2, according to city officials.

“The way landfills work is, it’s a three-dimensional space. So, as we start to build that waste up, we lose what we call our airspace. So that’s the third dimension, right, is the height of the landfill. Once we get to the max of that airspace, it’s time to close the landfill,” said Jessica Emmett Sellers, the City of Waco’s Public Works Outreach Coordinator.

New facilities already operational

Activity has already started at both new locations, with City of Waco trucks currently using the facilities.

“These facilities are just mostly taking trash from City of Waco trucks, which kind of helps get them started. It establishes what we call a fluff layer for the landfill, which protects the lining which goes down first, so we can kind of control what’s coming in and going out,” Sellers said.

Transfer station operations

The transfer station is designed for both city residents disposing of normal household waste and larger trucks. All vehicles will be weighed at the station’s scale house upon entry and exit.

Officials will direct customers to either a convenience center for hand-unloading trash or to areas for dump trucks and dump trailers at the transfer station or the landfill.

A hard hat, safety vest, and safety glasses are required for customers using areas of the transfer station where items are disposed of from dump trucks or large trailers. These safety items will be available for purchase at the transfer station scale house.