About

What is the history of the quarry landfill?

The Bristol Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility (“quarry landfill”) was issued an operating permit by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (“DEQ”) in 1996. It sits within a former limestone quarry located entirely within the city limits of Bristol, Virginia, and is located approximately one quarter of a mile north of Bristol, Tennessee.

The quarry landfill began accepting waste for disposal in March 1998, receiving approximately 500 tons of municipal waste per day on average (it is permitted to accept up to 1,600 tons per day).

When did the quarry landfill close?

The quarry landfill stopped accepting waste in early September 2022 to correct ongoing issues. Two other closed landfills owned by the City are adjacent to the quarry landfill.

What happens now?

With the City no longer taking in municipal solid waste at the quarry landfill, there have been few changes for Bristol residents to date. Trash is now being hauled to the Advanced Disposal landfill in Blountville. There was no interruption in trash pickup for City residents, nor are any envisioned going forward, as the City continues to consider and evaluate long-term disposal options.

How much will remediation cost?

The cost of odor remediation efforts at the quarry landfill and transitioning disposal services is something the City is working through, and all funding efforts and solutions are being considered. The City’s goal is to protect the environment while keeping our residents’ costs for these core services to a minimum. It is unclear how the quarry landfill changes will ultimately affect the rates Bristol, Virginia citizens pay for waste disposal services in the future.

When will remediation and capping be completed?

In terms of the actual quarry landfill property, the City is working with state and federal regulators on remediation plans for odor and stormwater mitigation as well as capping the quarry landfill. We expect the remediation and capping efforts to be completed over the next year and will continue to keep residents apprised of any relevant developments with updates on the quarry landfill website.

Where can I find updates and more information?

You can find the latest updates, video, events, and news on the Updates & Events section of this site.

You can find additional resources about the quarry landfill in the Resources section.

Specific details on the quarry landfill capping process and progress can be found on the Landfill Capping Progress section.