Projects

The landfill at ACUA’s Environmental Park has been in operation since 1991. The landfill is separated into cells, which hold solid waste generated from Atlantic County homes and businesses. In 2014, ACUA completed construction of the final cell.

ACUA researched ways to increase disposal capacity and decided upon an innovative structure called a mechanically stabilized earthen (MSE) berm.

The MSE berm is a structure that wraps around the exterior of the landfill. The space between the newly constructed berm and the slope of the existing landfill is used to store additional solid waste.

A Closer Look at the MSE Berm

The MSE berm is made with layers of compacted soil and geogrids. The exterior face of each layer is bound together with straw netting, a polyester geogrid, and reinforced steel.

ACUA installed a double composite liner system consisting of both primary and secondary liners, HDPE, and geosynthetic clay liner. These liners are part of a system underneath the landfill designed to protect the environment and groundwater by capturing leachate—a liquid produced as rainwater seeps through the waste.

Excavation work exposed the existing base liner at the perimeter, allowing the new liner system to securely connect with the existing one underneath the landfill. A protective layer of sand is then added over the liner.

Phases two and three of the structure utilized recycled asphalt pavement rather than traditional structural fill, saving money while putting recycled material to good use. The berm is the first in New Jersey to be built using recycled asphalt pavement and geogrids.

Litter Fence

In addition to the construction of the MSE berm, ACUA is installing a "litter fence" on top of the landfill. The fence is wrapping around the perimeter of the landfill and catches litter that blows away during landfill operations. The fence consists of 40-foot tall posts and netting.

Progress and Future of the Project

ACUA is permitted to build three berms that will extend 5,200 linear feet in total. The first phase, completed in April 2020, cost $9.4 million. The second phase, completed in 2022, cost $14.5 million. Construction on phase three began in early 2024 at a cost of $18.1 million.

We are now nearing completion of the third phase of the project. The MSE berms significantly increase the landfill’s disposal capacity and extend its operational life.

The History of ACUA’s Landfill

ACUA was designated as the regional authority to manage Atlantic County’s Solid Waste Management Plan in 1981. Prior to this, waste had been buried across unlined landfills that became a direct threat to groundwater, and our public health. In fact, several of these landfills were later designated as EPA Superfund sites.

When ACUA’s Environmental Park was opened in 1990 it was originally permitted to operate as a transfer station, where waste would come in to be processed and eventually hauled out to a landfill in another location.  Eventually, after discussion and demonstration projects, ACUA constructed its own landfill, which accepted construction and demolition debris starting in 1992 and municipal trash in 2000.

Preparing for the Future

Knowing the landfill’s useful life will eventually come to an end, ACUA has been preparing for several options to safely manage and handle Atlantic County’s waste. The MSE Wall is just one part of the comprehensive solution. Our Research and Development Department is dedicated to finding an effective alternative to landfilling.