New St. Joseph Landfill cell open and in use
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The new "Cell 8" at the St. Joseph Landfill has been accepting household waste after an accelerated construction period took place to complete the work.
The work, deemed necessary after the previous cell filled quickly, was a multi-month project.
The first loads of trash were placed in Cell 8 on Tuesday morning. The city received a letter late last week from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources approving the cell's use.
The city noted that the landfill has seen a sharp increase in usage over the last decade. The amount of trash received there doubled from almost 105,000 tons in 2015 to more than 215,000 tons in 2024, causing the previous cell to fill up more quickly.
While construction on the new cell began three years ago, city employees had difficulty keeping up with construction due to staffing needs.
At the beginning of 2025, city leaders decided to accelerate the cell's construction and brought in an outside agency, MCON, to finish the work.
"We're excited to announce the opening of Cell 8. I want to recognize Superintendent of Solid Waste and Recycling Darkota Cloud, who joined our team at the beginning of the year and has done a fantastic job leading his team and the charge on this project," said Abe Forney, director of public works and transportation. "I'd also like to thank MCON, the construction contractor, for their outstanding work in excavating the new cell and assisting with every step needed to get it open..."
In a news release, the city said the first five feet of waste in the new cell will be household trash only. Construction-related trash is being diverted to other areas of the Landfill, temporarily; however, it will be relocated to Cell 8, along with some trash that has been allowed to be stacked vertically about usual limits in Cell 7.
The new Cell 8 is expected to have a lifespan of three to five years. Landfill staff have already started construction on Cell 9 at the facility.
The current permitted landfill area for future cells is anticipated to be adequate for the city's current needs for the next 20 years.
