The Habersham County Landfill has gained a new lease on life – nearly 18 more years – after a series of changes in operations and a growing emphasis on recycling.
Previously facing a much shorter lifespan, the 160-acre landfill now has breathing room after several key initiatives were implemented in June of 2024. These efforts include prohibiting the disposal of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, expanding the county’s three recycling centers and forging new partnerships with organizations such as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and American Thrift Store for clothing collection.
“We have since made changes to daily operations,” Solid Waste Director Johnnie Vickers said. “Now, the compactor operates on longer hours and we have stopped taking C&D solid waste, which has brought the life of the landfill back to almost 18 years.”
The landfill receives an estimated 35,000 to 40,000 tons of waste annually. With Habersham County’s population continuing to grow, that figure is expected to rise, prompting officials to focus on long-term solutions.
The county allocated $2.7 million toward landfill operations in its 2025 budget, with $2.5 million projected for 2026. Vickers noted that small changes are already making an impact, particularly on the recycling front. In just the first two months of 2025, according to Vickers, roughly three-quarters of a ton of electronics were collected through local recycling efforts.
Despite these gains, Vickers warned that long-term planning is essential.
“A decision will have to be made in the future of what direction Habersham County will take…the landfill is good for several more years, but landfills take at least 10 years to permit,” Vickers said. “So the county will have to begin discussions on what the future holds within the next four-five years, minimum.”
Habersham County Commission Vice Chairman Bruce Harkness echoed the call for forward-thinking, saying the board must begin exploring economically feasible options for a new landfill without burdening taxpayers.
“The county has got to do something about the landfill, and we need to start planning to do something now, but again, we have to live within our means and we need to figure out what we can do to expand the landfill without raising taxes,” Harkness said.
Harkness also revealed that discussions by county officials are underway about a potential land swap involving property near the current landfill. The potential deal would ideally involve trading land near the national forest for a 20-acre parcel adjacent to the landfill, allowing for potential expansion.
