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White Oak landfill operator reports rising gas production, outlines Phase 6 construction
Summary
Republic Services told Haywood County commissioners its White Oak Landfill processed about 212,468 tons in 2024–25, reported $242,493 in royalties for the year and is advancing Phase 6 construction and landfill-gas expansion, projecting the site remains viable for roughly two decades under current rates.
Republic Services staff reported to the Haywood County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 6, 2025 that the White Oak Landfill handled roughly 212,468 combined tons in fiscal 2024–25 and is moving forward with Phase 6 construction and expanded landfill-gas infrastructure.
"Last year, we took a total a little bit over 88,000 tons of in county waste," said Soddard Picker, environmental manager for Republic's Western North Carolina unit, adding the facility accepted "a little bit over a 138,000 tons" of out-of-county waste and recovered about 13,500 tons of material. Picker reported total royalties to the county of $242,493 for the fiscal year and said total royalties since the contract began are just under $1.4 million.
Picker and Steve Slater, general manager for Western North Carolina and East Tennessee, outlined the landfill's remaining permitted airspace and life-expectancy calculations. Picker said permanent airspace is "a little bit more than 9,300,000 cubic yards" with roughly 5,400,000 cubic yards of remaining permitted airspace; under current density assumptions the site’s remaining life was "just shy of 20 years" as of May 2025. Republic said current sequencing places the operation in Cell 5B and that Phase 6A is expected to add about 848,000 yards of airspace and a 6.4‑acre cell.
Republic described recent investments in landfill-gas infrastructure. "So far, the early returns are exceeding our expectations in both flow and quality of the gas," Slater said, calling the resource "very viable for a landfill gas to energy project." He added the operation will need to upgrade the flare skid as production has grown faster than anticipated.
Picker outlined near-term capital plans, including approximately $3,000,000 in Phase 6 construction spending in the current quarter and additional gas-construction work into early 2026. Republic said it plans winterization after Thanksgiving and to resume certain construction activities in March to limit environmental exposure.
A commissioner praised Republic's work and said contracting the landfill has saved county taxpayers significant sums, referencing a previously projected annual savings of about $2 million and an estimated cumulative saving of roughly $28 million since 2011.
What’s next: Republic said Phase 6A construction is projected to complete in 2026 and that the county’s Solid Waste Board will continue oversight as gas and energy opportunities develop.
