Keystone Sanitary Landfill

The Keystone Sanitary Landfill is a modern, state-of-the-art sanitary landfill located at 249 Dunham Drive in the boroughs of Dunmore and Throop, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. Situated approximately two hours west of Morris County and adjacent to Interstate 81, it serves as the primary long-term disposal site for virtually all of Morris County’s municipal solid waste (MSW).

General Facts

Spanning approximately 714 acres with a permitted disposal footprint of about 335 acres, Keystone is one of Pennsylvania’s largest and most advanced landfills. It is fully permitted and regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The facility accepts primarily municipal solid waste from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, and operates under strict environmental standards. It has earned the prestigious ISO 14001 certification for its environmental management system, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability and regulatory compliance.

How a Sanitary Landfill Works

At a sanitary landfill like Keystone, waste is managed in a carefully engineered and controlled manner:

• Arrival and Placement: Trucks deliver waste to the working face (the active disposal area). The waste is spread in thin layers, compacted by heavy machinery to reduce volume, and covered daily with soil or an approved alternative material. This daily cover helps control odors, litter, and disease-carrying animals.
• Lined Disposal Cells: Waste is placed into specially designed “cells” built on top of protective liners. These liners prevent liquids from migrating into the ground.
• Leachate Management: Rainwater and liquids that percolate through the waste (called leachate) are collected through a network of pipes and pumped to an on-site treatment facility before safe discharge.
• Long-Term Closure: Once a section is full, it is capped with an impermeable cover system and monitored for decades to ensure continued environmental protection.

Environmental Protections

Keystone goes well beyond basic regulatory requirements to protect air, water, and surrounding communities:

• Groundwater Protection: Multiple layers of liners and a sophisticated leachate collection system keep potential contaminants from reaching groundwater.
• Landfill Gas Management: As organic waste decomposes, it produces landfill gas (primarily methane and carbon dioxide). Keystone’s comprehensive gas collection system captures over 90% of this gas. Instead of simply flaring it, the captured gas is processed at the on-site Assai Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) facility operated by Archaea Energy — one of the largest and highest-capacity RNG plants in the United States.
• Air Quality & Emissions Control: Advanced systems significantly reduce odors and air pollutants. The RNG project converts methane (a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide) into clean, pipeline-quality renewable natural gas, reducing over 200,000 metric tons of CO2-equivalent emissions each year.
• Continuous Monitoring: The facility is regularly inspected by the Pennsylvania DEP and employs real-time monitoring for air, water, and operational performance.

This combination of modern engineering, daily operational controls, and innovative renewable energy recovery makes Keystone a responsible and environmentally protective choice for Morris County’s solid waste disposal needs. It aligns with the MCMUA’s commitment to safe, sustainable waste management that protects public health and natural resources for current and future generations.