Plainfield Twp. faces decision on controversial Grand Central Landfill expansion proposal

PLAINFIELD TWP., Pa. — A proposal to expand the Grand Central Landfill is stirring debate in Plainfield Township, where residents and company representatives gathered for a public meeting Wednesday night.

WM is looking to acquire 325 acres of land, with plans to rezone about 212 acres from farm and forest use to solid waste processing and disposal. Under the proposal:

• 81 acres would be used for trash disposal
• 52 acres would support landfill operations
• 192 acres would remain as woodland and wetland buffer zones.

Adrienne Fors, WM’s community and municipal relations manager, said the expansion is necessary given the growing strain on existing landfill space.

“Each one of us throws away about five pounds of trash a day, and because of that our landfills are filling up very quickly. Grand Central has about four years of life left,” Fors explained.

Many residents spoke out strongly against the plan, voicing concerns about health, quality of life, and the township’s reputation. One resident warned, “Our future should be becoming an area where people want to live because the jobs are here. That vision is going to be absolutely demolished if we approve the landfill and we become known as the town that’s got the dump.”

Others raised worries about odor, noise, and daily disruptions.

“The people that live on the eastern side of that landfill — myself and my neighbors — are gonna smell that thing. And not only that, I’m gonna have to listen to the backup beepers of all the heavy equipment when they dig that hole,” said another resident.

Not all feedback was negative. A handful of residents shared support, saying concerns are being exaggerated. “I think it’s a good thing. It’s not gonna be as bad as everybody makes it sound,” one attendee said.

WM emphasized that the expansion would not increase the volume of waste received or change the types of waste accepted at the site. The company also noted that state regulators have never identified health hazards linked to the landfill.

If approved by the Plainfield Township Board of Supervisors, the proposal will still require review and approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).