Community members criticize landfill's use of netting instead of proper daily cover

The Benton County, Arkansas government meeting on April 15, 2025, focused on critical discussions regarding landfill management practices, particularly the use of daily cover materials. A significant concern raised by a community member highlighted the inadequacy of the current daily cover method employed at the landfill. The speaker criticized the use of mesh netting as a substitute for the standard six inches of soil or alternative daily cover, arguing that it fails to mitigate odors and prevent wildlife access to exposed waste.

The speaker presented evidence, including photographs, to support claims that the landfill consistently uses only netting at the end of workdays, which misrepresents the actual practices in official reports. They emphasized that the lack of proper daily cover could lead to increased methane emissions, posing environmental risks.

In response, a representative from the landfill management clarified that the facility uses heavy-duty tarps as an approved alternative daily cover, rather than mesh netting. They explained that this method helps conserve airspace by reducing the need for daily soil cover, which can be a resource-intensive practice.

The discussion underscored the ongoing debate about landfill operations and environmental accountability in Benton County. As concerns about waste management practices continue to grow, the meeting highlighted the need for transparency and adherence to environmental standards to ensure community safety and ecological health.