‘First’ is a word Fredericton Region Solid Waste (FRSW) has become very familiar with throughout the years. FRSW was the first regional sanitary landfill in New Brunswick and the first to bale its garbage. It also boasts the first curbside recycling program in NB, the province’s first office paper collection program, the first to construct a recycling facility and develop a household hazardous waste program as well as the first to install and operate a Landfill Gas Collection System in the province. As part of the Landfill Gas Collection System process, FRSW’s project became the first in Canada to be verified allowing it to see carbson credits on the international Blue Registry. Solid waste brought to the landfill is disposed of in the most environmentally sensitive way possible. This starts with the construction of a cell to hold the waste. The landfill is located on land between two large drumlins of clay which is integral in landfilling.

Clay acts as a natural barrier between garbage and the surrounding soil and water supply. We don’t let the clay do all the work, a geo membrane which has the consistency of a vinyl record, is also placed in the cell to act as another barrier between the waste and the surrounding environment. A cell is about one hectare in size. more... See more text