HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — Longstanding concerns about the future of the Habersham County landfill have eased after a recent report confirmed the facility now has capacity through May of 2048, significantly extending earlier projections that suggested only about a decade of remaining space.
Habersham County Manager Tim Sims said the extended lifespan is largely the result of improved daily operations at the landfill, particularly more consistent use of compacting equipment. For several years following the retirement of the landfill’s longtime superintendent, trash compaction was not occurring throughout the entire day, which reduced efficiency and caused the landfill to fill more quickly.
Under new landfill director Johnny Victor, county officials have made sure the compactor is running for most of the time the landfill is open. That change has dramatically increased compaction rates, allowing waste to take up less space and extending the usable life of the site.
Staffing improvements have also played a role. The county added two additional workers to ensure equipment can operate consistently throughout the day, addressing earlier staffing shortages that limited compaction operations.
Another major factor in extending the landfill’s lifespan was the county’s decision to stop accepting construction and demolition (C&D) debris. That material had previously been diverted into the municipal solid waste portion of the landfill after a separate C&D area filled up, accelerating the landfill’s overall capacity loss. Ending acceptance of that debris has slowed the rate at which space is consumed.
To address the need for C&D disposal, a private company is developing a construction and demolition transfer station at the former pulp mill site along Alto Mud Creek Road. Once operational, debris will be sorted for recycling at that location and then transported to an off-site landfill, rather than entering the Habersham County landfill.
Sims also addressed questions about a previously permitted waste-reduction operation along the Nancy Town Road and Welcome Home Road area. That facility has since been shut down by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division after failing to operate within the limits of its permit. Cleanup and enforcement at that site are being handled by the state, not the county.
According to the landfill capacity report received in November, the improved practices and operational changes have extended the landfill’s projected lifespan by approximately 19 years, pushing its expected closure date to May 2048.
County officials say continued attention to daily operations, staffing, and waste management policies will be essential to maintaining that timeline.
