Shotwell Landfill Expansion Proposal Heads to Public Hearing on June 16
Wendell, NC landfill deals exclusively with debris from construction and demolition.
Raleigh, NC, Jun., 15, 2025 — Wake County Commissioners are preparing to hear public input on a proposal that could extend the life of one of the county’s key construction and demolition (C&D) landfills by four years, without increasing daily truck traffic or expanding beyond its current footprint.
The proposal, from Shotwell Environmental Park, will be considered during a public hearing today as part of the commissioners’ regular meeting in Raleigh.
The request involves a horizontal expansion of 11.25 acres within the landfill's existing property. Meridian Waste, the site’s owner, states that the change is necessary to accommodate continued regional growth while maintaining local disposal capacity.
“This one right here being a horizontal on the existing property inside the current buffer zones,” said Patrick Messinger, Area President for Meridian Waste. “It will extend the life of the landfill by, we believe, approximately four years.”
What’s Being Proposed
According to County Solid Waste Director John Roberson, the Shotwell request does not include any increase in daily tonnage or service area. The goal is to allow the use of more of the already permitted land for future waste placement.
If approved, the expansion would extend landfill capacity to 2037, up from the current projected endpoint of 2033.
“You’re talking about wood, metal, concrete, asphalt, and other construction materials,” Roberson said. “Typically there’s limited or no methane from those types of facilities because there’s limited organic waste.”
C&D landfills deal exclusively with debris from construction and demolition. They are built to different environmental standards than household waste landfills. They are not required to include bottom liners, because they do not accept organic waste that typically leads to groundwater contamination.
Oversight and Public Process
Modifying a C&D landfill franchise in Wake County is a multi-step process. After a proposal is submitted to the county’s Solid Waste Division, it must be publicly advertised, posted on-site, and made available in a local library. The public hearing on June 16 is the first of two required votes.
If the commissioners approve the change, Shotwell must then apply for a modified special use permit from the Wake County Board of Adjustment and seek a substantial amendment from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. That state-level review may include environmental assessments, traffic studies, and financial audits.
Recycling, Jobs, and Community Feedback
Commissioners commended Shotwell’s current operations, especially its role as the only C&D landfill in the county that operates a materials recovery facility to sort and recycle usable debris.
The site currently diverts around 10% of incoming material—approximately 18,000 tons annually—from burial, and Meridian officials indicated that number could grow over time.
Commissioners inquired about buffer zones and whether the company would consider exceeding the minimum state requirements to protect nearby residents. Meridian responded that all activity will remain within current treelined boundaries and that no public complaints have been received during the notice period.
Why It Matters
Wake County is served by four privately owned C&D landfills—Shotwell, Brownfield, Greenway, and Red Rock. These sites are crucial for managing the substantial amounts of debris generated by ongoing residential, commercial, and infrastructure construction.
“Construction’s not slowing down in Wake County,” said another commissioner. “If builders have to haul debris farther away, the cost of building—including homes—goes up.”
The Shotwell proposal, if approved, would help preserve local capacity at a time when other landfill sites in the county are nearing the end of their useful life.
🗓️ Public Hearing Details
What: Public Hearing on Shotwell Landfill Franchise Modification
When: Monday, June 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Where: Wake County Justice Center, 301 S. McDowell St., Raleigh
How to Review: A copy of the proposal is available at the Wendell Community Library. Public notices were also posted at the site and in local newspapers.
Next Step: A second vote will occur approximately 30 days later as required by state law.