Here is how they killed the landfill!

 

Over the last ten years, non-asbestos construction and demolition (C&D) material at the Pocahontas County Sanitary Landfill has originated from a combination of large-scale public infrastructure projects, residential remodeling, and the regional hospitality sector. Because the landfill is not permitted to accept hazardous asbestos, all C&D loads are required to have a negative asbestos inspection or certification prior to disposal.

The primary sources of this waste include:

• Public Infrastructure and Institutional Projects:

  • Pocahontas Memorial Hospital (PMH): A $6.6 million expansion and renovation project that broke ground in 2022, involving the construction of a new health clinic and modernization of existing patient rooms.

  • Snowshoe Regional Sewer System: A $25 million project that required the abandonment and demolition of eight existing wastewater treatment plants.

  • Pocahontas County Schools: Multi-million dollar renovations at Pocahontas County High School, specifically for HVAC systems, electrical upgrades, and the replacement of windows and restrooms.

  • Municipal Utility Upgrades: Extensive water and sewer system improvements across the county, including the $11.9 million Marlinton Sewer System Improvements and the Thornwood Waterline Extension.

• Commercial and Industrial Demolition:

  • EPA Tannery Project: The demolition of the former tannery office building in Marlinton, which utilized EPA abatement and cleanup funding.

  • Hospitality Sector: Renovation and operational debris from regional resorts, hotels, and gas stations.

• Residential and Disaster Recovery:

  • Flood Recovery (RISE WV): The demolition and clearance of residential and commercial structures following the major 2016 floods.

  • Residential Maintenance: Localized remodeling, roofing tear-offs, and deck replacements.

• Bulky and Specialized Waste Streams:

  • This category often includes "white goods" (appliances such as washing machines and freezers), car fenders, light sheet metal, and furniture (mattresses and household furnishings), which are processed alongside or similarly to C&D debris.

Landfill management and local contractors have noted that C&D materials are significantly heavier and bulkier than standard municipal waste, and the lack of on-site burial options post-2026 was a primary driver for designing the new transfer station to handle these specific waste streams.