Largest refuse tip
- Who
- Fresh Kills landfill
- What
- 1200 hectare(s)
- Where
- United States (New York City,)
- When
- 1948
Fresh Kills landfill, on Staten Island, New York City, USA, is the world's largest refuse tip. It is estimated to contain 100 million tonnes (220 million lbs) of garbage and covers 1,200 ha. (3,000 acres). At its peak in the mid-1990s 13,000 tonnes (28.6 million lbs) of rubbish was processed every day. The landfill is stacked into four mounds almost 200 ft high.
In 2001 former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani ordered the landfill to be closed after more than 50 years in operation. However one of the mounds was reopened after the September 11 attacks to absorb World Trade Centre debris. Once the sifting process is finished it will be closed once again. In the future the intention is for the area to be reforested.
In 2001 former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani ordered the landfill to be closed after more than 50 years in operation. However one of the mounds was reopened after the September 11 attacks to absorb World Trade Centre debris. Once the sifting process is finished it will be closed once again. In the future the intention is for the area to be reforested.