Athens-Clarke County – Engineering Landfill Longevity and Leading Waste Diversion Innovation

Athens, Georgia | 2006 – Present

The Challenge: Growing Waste Volumes and a Push for Diversion

By the early 2000s, Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCUG) faced a dual challenge: limited landfill capacity and an increasing need to implement sustainable waste diversion strategies. Their vision for the future required not only more landfill space, but the infrastructure to support composting, recycling, and long-term compliance—while staying ahead of changing state and federal regulations.

They needed a partner who could balance technical design with strategic planning, and who understood how to build a flexible system for the future. In 2006, ACC answered the call.

Our Role: Long-Term Support Across Landfill, Recycling, and Compost Operations

Since 2006, ACC has served as a trusted on-call partner to ACCUG, supporting nearly every aspect of their solid waste program. Our work has included permitting, design, construction oversight, capacity forecasting, and compliance documentation—all tailored to the County’s evolving needs and forward-thinking approach.

In 2013, we designed and permitted a major landfill expansion that extended the facility’s life by 80 years, while also supporting the County’s efforts to develop a more integrated waste management strategy.

What We Delivered: Capacity, Innovation, and Grant-Ready Infrastructure

ACC’s contributions have spanned the waste management spectrum. We designed and permitted a composting facility in 2009 to handle food waste, biosolids, and wood debris—significantly reducing what enters the landfill. When it came time to modernize the recycling program, we supported the planning and design of a new facility and helped ACCUG apply for a 2024 EPA Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant to fund advanced sorting technologies.

Our engineering team has designed and overseen construction for landfill cells, composting pads, and recycling infrastructure, while also conducting site suitability investigations and providing Construction Quality Assurance (CQA).

The Result: A Smarter, Greener, Long-Term System

With ACC’s support, Athens-Clarke County has transformed its solid waste program into a more efficient, compliant, and environmentally responsible operation. The combination of long-term landfill planning, diversion infrastructure, and regulatory readiness has positioned ACCUG as a leader in sustainable waste management in Georgia. Our partnership continues today—focused on innovation, reliability, and measurable results.