Feb 17, 2026
Maintaining affordable disposal rates and responsibly meeting Atlantic County’s growing waste management needs are the driving force behind a plan to modify the landfill in Egg Harbor Township, N.J.
The Atlantic County Board of County Commissioners held its first reading of an ordinance to amend the Atlantic County Solid Waste Management Plan to include a modification of the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) landfill on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The Atlantic County Solid Waste Advisory Council previously approved the amended plan in January.
“Atlantic County municipalities, residents, and businesses have depended on the stable, low disposal rates ACUA provides,” said ACUA President Matthew DeNafo. “This modification allows us to fully optimize our existing solid waste infrastructure to ensure cost-effective and environmentally responsible waste management for the next 15 years.”
The proposed modification would extend the landfill’s expected lifespan from 2029 to 2040. The modification would take place within the landfill’s existing footprint and proposes filling a 5.74-acre space between two existing sections of the landfill and increasing the height by 40 feet.
“We’ve carefully evaluated this option alongside the financial and environmental costs of hauling waste out-of-county,” said DeNafo. “Extending the life of our existing landfill is the most responsible solution.”
The ACUA’s state-of-the-art double-lined landfill has efficiently served Atlantic County communities for more than 35 years. Opened in 1990, the landfill was built to replace numerous unlined, privately owned dumps that contaminated NJ communities. The modern ACUA landfill operates with extensive lining, leachate collection, and monitoring systems specifically designed to protect the environment.
Among these protections are ACUA’s extensive landfill gas collection and control system. ACUA has invested more than $22 million in this system, including nearly $8 million in the last two years alone. Investments in these proven measures have resulted in a
98 percent reduction in odor complaints. These efforts would continue to be used in the proposed modification area.
The Authority has been nationally recognized for its commitment to innovation and sustainability. Recently, ACUA became the first public landfill in the state to operate a
Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Facility, which uses leading technology to collect and repurpose landfill gas into renewable energy.
“ACUA remains dedicated to exploring and implementing new technologies that will improve our operations, reduce our impact on the community and protect the surrounding environment,” said DeNafo.
Alongside the proposed landfill modification, ACUA is pursuing
waste conversion technology that could transform waste into an energy resource and provide a longer-term solution for waste management. ACUA is also renewing its waste reduction efforts through expanded recycling, composting, and reuse initiatives.
“While we work toward a long-term, circular waste management system, we must continue to responsibly manage the
two million pounds of trash that’s produced every day in Atlantic County,” said DeNafo. “This modification will allow us to stabilize trash disposal costs while developing new solutions.”
For questions about the proposed modification, please contact
landfill-info@acua.com or visit our website
www.acua.com/landfillmod.