Richmond Landfill: Timeline
A Half Century of Unanswered Questions
| 1954 | Privately-owned dump opens on Beechwood Road. |
| 1954-1970 | Dumping takes place in the unlined area, now called "Cell 1". Waste was burned on site. Dump site serviced local residents. No provincial licensing was required at this time. |
| 1971 | Licensing becomes mandatory. Province approves site. |
| 1986 | The site is approved to accept waste from across Ontario. Hydrogeologists express concerns over whether this is a suitable site for a landfill operation. |
| 1980s | The landfill comes under the ownership of various large waste companies. |
| 1990s | Site purchased by Canada Waste Services (now Waste Management). |
| 1999 | Waste Management announces plans to expand the landfill to accept 750,000 tonnes of waste and 250,000 tonnes of contaminated soils annually. |
| 1999-2005 | Ongoing legal opposition to the landfill and proposed expansion. |
| 2005 | Environmental Assessment is submitted by Waste Management. |
| 2006 | "STOP THE DUMP!" - Community groups, scientists, and the public at large voice strong opposition to the proposed landfill expansion. |
| Ministry of the Environment Review makes strong recommendation against the proposed landfill expansion, concluding "There are significant environmental risks associated with expanding the landfill". The Minister accepts this recommendation in her decision under the EA Act in November 2006. | |
| 2009 | Citizens group and Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte call for PERMANENT CLOSURE of the Richmond Landfill Site. |
| September | Citizens launch campaign to stop any expansion and CLOSE THE DUMP. |
| October | Environmental Commissioner of Ontario recommends the MOE require the immediate closure of the Richmond Landfill. |
| 2010 | Waste Management announces plans to apply for a new landfill on the site. |
| April first, 2010, the MOE issues a Certificate of Approval which orders the existing landfill closed by June 2011. |