For modern landfill operators, efficiency means maximizing every inch of available airspace. At the Salem County Improvement Authority (SCIA), that mindset is what landfill manager Parker Smith calls “Smart landfilling” – finding ways to process material more efficiently, improve compaction, and ultimately extend the life of the landfill
“Everything to us is airspace,” Smith explains. “We only get so much of it we’re allowed to fill. So, the volume that we can fit in that airspace means a lot to us.”
For Salem County, which processes 400 to 500 tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) and construction and demolition (C&D) material each day, making the most of permitted landfill space is a constant priority. That focus led the team to rethink how material was being processed before placement.
Rather than relying on compaction alone, Salem County began combining shredding and compaction to better break down incoming waste. By reducing bulky material before it reaches the working face, the facility can create denser fills and make better use of available airspace.
“When we shred in addition to compacting, we do see a reduction in how fast we’re filling,” Smith says.
The difference isn’t just something management sees in reports. Operators also notice it in day-to-day operations.
“The operators see that on a daily basis,” Smith says. “We’ve slowed down the filling of the airspace because we’re getting that much more volume.”
To support that approach, SCIA turned to Tana equipment after visiting other facilities, demoing machines, and evaluating the performance in real-world environments. Beyond the machine efficiency, Smith says one of the biggest advantages came from using a shredder and compactor from the same manufacturer. Shared systems and service parts simplified maintenance and helped reduce complexity for the operations and service teams.
“Having the shredder from the same manufacturer, utilizing the same filters and the same everything we were already stocking on site, it was really a win-win” Smith says.
For SCIA, smart landfilling isn’t a buzzword. It’s a practical approach to getting more value from every load that enters the site. By pairing shredding with compaction and investing in equipment built specifically for waste operations, the facility is working to maximize airspace, reduce inefficiencies, and extend the lifespan of the landfill.
To learn more about Smart Landfilling, visit https://tananorthamerica.com/landfill-operations/smart-landfilling/.
