Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
New York's biggest trash dump is releasing even more methane than thought
By
Rosemary Misdary
Published Nov 15, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. ET
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Courtesy of New York State Assemblymember Emily Gallagher
By
Rosemary Misdary
Published Nov 15, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. ET
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
New York’s largest landfill is pumping a lot of methane into the atmosphere — as much as 90 times the federal limit.
The Seneca Meadows landfill, located in the Finger Lakes region 275 miles from Midtown Manhattan, is leaking copious amounts of methane despite repeated repairs and persistent warnings from state regulators, a new report by the advocacy group Full Circle Future revealed on Thursday.
The analysis was based on documents obtained from the state Department of Environmental Conservation and self-reporting from 16 landfills across New York. It found that six sites, including Seneca, surpassed federal limits.
“I certainly knew that the methane emissions were a big problem, but that is an enormous problem,” New York State Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, who chairs the state’s Solid Waste Management Legislative Committee, said in response to the report’s findings.
In a statement, Department of Environmental Conservation spokesperson Andrea Pedrick-Bird said landfill operators are required to “take appropriate measures and conduct re-monitoring” to ensure any methane leaks or excessive emissions are resolved.
The Full Circle Future analysis concludes that DEC’s process isn’t effectively managing methane emissions. The study notes recurrences of leaks in the same spots.
Methane is a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential that is around 80 times more potent than carbon, according to the EPA. Exposure to the gas is also harmful to humans, contributing to respiratory-related deaths.
Seneca Meadows, New York’s largest active landfill, is the state’s biggest source of methane, according to aerial estimates published in a peer-reviewed science journal, Copernicus.
First opened in 1983 near Seneca Falls — the birthplace of the women’s rights movement — the 400-acres landfill is almost as tall as the Statue of Liberty. About 6% of its annual refuse, or 75,000 tons, comes from commercial sources in New York City, according to DEC’s most recent records.
The site is close to full capacity and was originally set to close at the end of last year. But its owner, Texas-based Waste Connections, has applied to increase the size of the landfill and continue operating through 2040.
Locals have strongly opposed the expansion.
“If you could imagine sticking your head into a dumpster in the middle of an alleyway in New York City on a hot, humid July day, it is like someone sucker punched you in the face,” said Mark Pitifer, an employee at Waterloo Container, a nearby business.
The landfill’s owners, Texas-based Waste Connections, did not return requests for comment.
Federal law requires landfill operators to self-report methane releases. But, according to Full Circle Future, it’s a law with no teeth.
“The most shocking thing for me is that all of this is actually within federal regulation,” said Kimenthrie Finlay, Full Circle’s Director of Research and Analytics and a coauthor of the report. "Most of the federal actions don't really require too much.”
Between February 2024 and June 2025, the Department of Environmental Conservation recorded discharges at the same locations six times. According to DEC correspondence, Waste Connection was told to fix the leak and retest the spot within 120 days.
“These quick patches and fixes don't really stay in place,” Finlay said. “In several instances these fixes didn't work and that same spot kept recurring.”
Finlay said the group’s analysis is likely an underestimate since as much as one-third of the Seneca landfill is not monitored, according to the mapping of testing areas.
Those calling for Seneca to be shut down said that the report is further proof that the pollution outweighs any benefits.
“The only way that we can start to recover from this heinous mountain of trash is to close it right away, cap it, and start dealing with the problem, not consider letting it grow,” said Yvonne Taylor, cofounder of local advocacy group Seneca Lake Guardian. “We need to close this thing. And if we need any more signals, this is it. Time is now. Do it. Close it.”
Seneca Meadows has been running on an expired permit for nearly one year, but continues to operate legally. An administrative loophole allows the facility to continue accepting trash while its expansion application is under review. The site is nearly at full capacity under its original limits.
More than 11,000 surrounding residents are exposed to the emissions from the landfill.
The DEC is hosting a public hearing on Nov. 16 on a statewide management plan that aims to greatly reduce dependence on landfills.
Tagged
Politics
Science and Engineering
Rosemary Misdary
Rosemary is health & science reporter. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or Signal 646-544-9524.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYPD fatally shoots driver on Belt Parkway following suspected kidnapping
A woman who was heard screaming for help from inside the van was unharmed.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Nov 15, 2026 at 10:20 a.m. ET
Some in NY fret about being hit by the AI bus. Others are trying to board it.
Some Black and Latino New Yorkers are working to gain a foothold in the AI-altered economy.
By
Willow Higgins
News
Some in NY fret about being hit by the AI bus. Others are trying to board it.
Some Black and Latino New Yorkers are working to gain a foothold in the AI-altered economy.
By
Willow Higgins
NYC's specialized high school test stalled by technical problems, DOE says
By
Christian Santana
Gov. Hochul calls on Duffy to resign after FAA meltdown grounds nation's flights
By
Ryan Kost
Expansion proposal for Brooklyn plants fuels data center fears
By
Rosemary Misdary
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .