Why this is Important

A dump is a noxious stew of household garbage, diapers, pet waste, chemicals, batteries - everything our society discards. As all this unwanted refuse festers, a toxic mix called leachate settles to the bottom and can escape into surrounding lands and waterways.

The Richmond Landfill creates the risk of serious offsite impacts. Established over fifty years ago on fractured limestone, experts have questioned whether this is a suitable base for a dump. With no liner in the oldest cell and questionable liners in the other four, contaminated leakage threatens drinking water sources. In 2006 the Minister of the Environment turned down a request by the operating company, Waste Management, citing significant environmental risks. The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario has recommended that the site be immediately closed.


Coupled with the fact that the Richmond Landfill has effectively reached its approved capacity, it is appalling that it remains open and a new expansion is planned. Citizens of Napanee, Tyendinaga Township and the Mohawk Territory have repeatedly called for its closure. Finally, on 1 April 2010, the MOE has issued a new Certificate of Approval for the site which, among other conditions, requires the site to be close by 30 June 2011.


However, the owner of the site has announced a plan to establish a new megadump on the same unsuitable fractured bedrock base.

We invite you to explore this site to learn more about this crucial community issue.

The Concerned Citizens of Tyendinaga and Environs
www.dumpthedump.ca