On March 18th the Township of Leeds and Thousand Islands Council will review a proposal for the reclamation of the Lansdowne Waste Disposal Site (WDS), which is nearing capacity with just 3-4 years of space remaining. A preliminary excavation option analysis has been conducted, exploring the potential of landfill mining to extend the site’s lifespan by 10 to 20 years.
The proposed landfill mining project would excavate approximately 68,000 cubic meters of waste, creating 40,000 cubic meters of additional space. This plan could help delay the need to transition the site into a waste transfer facility, which would significantly increase long-term operational costs.
The Township is seeking federal funding through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF), which supports infrastructure projects that enable housing development. If successful, the grant would cover 50% of the project’s capital costs, reducing the Township’s financial burden.
The total estimated cost for the project, including mining and future operational expenses, is $11.4 million over 30 years. Council will decide whether to apply for CHIF funding and move forward with the reclamation project.
(By: Tim Baltz)
