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20 The Authority | October 2024 H ow an A ctive L andfill B ecame a D estination for P ublic E njoyment By Patti Lynn, Recycling Resources Manager, Chester County Solid Waste Authority I magine a place with gentle green slopes, a woody nature trail, two scenic overlooks, picnic spaces, a playground, and grazing sheep. Few people would think that describes a landfill that operates five and a half days per week for trucks with compactors and roll offs to bring their municipal trash. Even for the minority of people who have seen a landfill up close, they may think you’re fooling them. But for many residents in the Chester County region, they know that the Lanchester Landfill and Reclamation Center (LLARC) can be a pleasant destination. Lanchester Landfill began in 1960 as a “dump”. It has been operating as a modern landfill since 1984, and was named for its location; its 625 acres sit in both Lancaster and Chester Counties, Pennsylvania. There is a solid mix of rural, small town, and suburban areas, with farms, Amish communities, and light industries dotting the adjacent landscape. Thirty operations and administrative staff manage LLARC. The Chester County Solid Waste Authority (CCSWA) is the volunteer seven member board charged with oversight. Bob Watts, Board Certified Environmental Engineer, has been Executive Director since 1999. In a typical day, 1,000 tons of municipal waste are carefully handled in the active cell. But it’s not all about trash. With a compost area for yard waste, and a popular public area for drop off of recyclables, electronic waste, appliances, and small bulky loads, Lanchester rebranded itself in 2022 with a nod to the Reclamation Center: LLARC is an integrated solid waste management facility. Its mission statement includes “minimal environmental impact” and “a long- term goal of zero waste”. Sustaining a modern landfill requires engineering technology and team planning. CCSWA continuously invests its resources with the environment and public in mind. When sections of the buried trash reach their permitted limits and are closed with final capping, they may end up looking like just a grassy hillside. Leafy trees and bushes greet customers along the entrance drive up to the scale house. A koi pond with benches and a picnic table are situated yards away from the Administration Office. Flower beds and seasonal decorations enhance the Reclamation Center. Why the effort to create and sustain LLARC as “more than just trash”? “On 625 acres, we provide an essential service – trash disposal and recycling access - to over 400,000 residents and hundreds of businesses,” said Watts. “First, we want to be good neighbors. Second, we offer education and recreation to the broader county region. With all these efforts, we then become more than just a landfill, and the public recognizes and respects our central purpose.” The CCSWA hosts two annual events for their neighbors – free compost in the spring, and an Open House in the fall, with children’s activities, locally- made food, bus tours, and educational resources. Hundreds of neighboring residents attend these two events. The CCSWA hosts an annual deer hunt on the property specifically for disabled veterans. The CCSWA claims memberships and sponsorships to the local Chamber of Commerce, and non- profits Historic Poole Forge, and Honey Brook Community Partnership. In addition, the Authority supports other local organizations, such as libraries, fire departments, and a food pantry. LLARC is an integrated solid waste management facility. Its mission statement includes “minimal environmental impact” and “a long- term goal of zero waste”