When Chelsea Lyons moved into her Madison, North Carolina, home in 2023, she was pleased. The community felt like a safe and healthy place for her family to live and grow. But her sense of security was shaken when she discovered that a major source of climate and air pollution—the Rockingham County landfill—was less than three miles away from her doorstep.
“There are no heavy smells, and I don’t see trash in my community,” Chelsea explains. Still, a mother of a young child and another on the way, Chelsea spends a lot of time outdoors with her family. Learning about the nearby landfill has made her question just how safe her neighborhood truly is. “I wonder if I’m exposing my family to harmful air pollution,” she says.
Tell EPA: Keep Families Safe From Landfill Methane Pollution
Our latest fact sheet, Landfill Methane Pollution, reveals that Chelsea’s concerns are well-founded. Landfills are more than just dumping sites; they are significant sources of toxic pollutants that aren’t always visible or detectable.
As a mom, Chelsea is understandably most concerned about her children’s health—and her pregnancy. The biggest environmental concern with landfills is climate pollution, specifically from methane, a significant driver of global warming. In 2022, landfills accounted for more than 14% of the nation’s methane emissions, making them the third-largest source of this potent greenhouse gas. Methane traps heat far more effectively than carbon dioxide, accelerating climate warming. Most of this methane comes from decomposing food waste and organic materials like yard trimmings and paper. Our partners at the Environmental Defense Fund recently launched a map showing methane pollution from municipal landfills—and it is significantly higher than what has been reported to EPA.
In addition to methane, landfills do also release air and water pollution, as Chelsea worries about. Landfill gas can contain compounds that contribute to ozone pollution, a.k.a. smog, and dangerous carcinogens like benzene and vinyl chloride, which pose long-term health risks. PFAS chemicals—commonly referred to as “forever chemicals”—have also been found in the gas and leachate of most landfills. These substances are linked to a range of serious health issues, including decreased fertility, cancer, liver damage, thyroid problems, and adverse birth outcomes. All these pollutants can leach into water supplies, compounding the threat.
For Chelsea, the lack of accessible information about methane and other pollution from landfills adds to her unease. She did some research and discovered that the only way to receive updates about unhealthy air from her local landfill is by signing up for emergency notifications on its website. “This information should be more available to everyone,” Chelsea says, highlighting the pressing need for better transparency for all, not just residents who already know to be concerned.
While it’s up to EPA to set stronger standards for landfill methane pollution, we can all do our part to help reduce landfill emissions. Here are some real, doable ways to make a difference from our latest resource:
- Minimize food waste: Plan meals thoughtfully, shop with purpose, and get creative with leftovers to reduce the amount of waste heading to landfills.
- Compost: Composting organic materials keeps them out of landfills, cutting methane emissions at the source. Many municipalities offer compost collection programs, or you can start composting at home with a bin or worm farm. Check out our Mom Detective article about composting for tips.
- Advocate for change: Join Moms Clean Air Force to push for stricter landfill regulations and more robust composting programs nationwide.
Chelsea’s story is a reminder that landfill pollution affects everyone, even if it isn’t visible. As she points out, the burden of seeking information—or fixing the problem—shouldn’t fall entirely on individuals. It’s time for accessible, community-wide solutions.
Every action we take to reduce waste, to support composting, and especially to demand stronger landfill regulation cuts emissions and improves the quality of life for nearby communities. Tackling landfill emissions is a critical step in fighting climate change, and together we can make a meaningful difference—and continue to feel pleased and safe in our homes, old or new.
READ MORE ABOUT LANDFILL METHANE POLLUTION.
Tell EPA: Keep Families Safe From Landfill Methane Pollution