The Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island was, for decades, the largest landfill in the world, taking in up to 29,000 tons a day of New York City trash for sequestration in what used to be a nice stretch of tidal wetland. But after the last shipment of junk was unloaded back in 2001, the city saw an opportunity to give this 2,200-acre landfill—where the trash was piled nearly as high as the Statue of Liberty in some places—a more beautiful future. The festering detritus of the modern urban age will be hidden under a network of wells and pipes to recover flammable and toxic decomposition gasses, an impermeable plastic layer to confine “leachate” (that’s polluted water), and more than 4 feet of dirt, all to keep 150 million tons of dead trash from rising from its grave like a methane-fueled stink zombie. Plus, like any good plastic surgery, the results should ultimately look totally natural.

In its new life, the site will be a full-on wilderness adventure land with trails for horseback riding, waterways for canoeing, and paths for walking and biking. The first stages of the 30-year project are already under way. By the end of next year, New Yorkers will be able to grab the kids, hop on the ferry, and spend a thrilling day at the dump. Smells like fun!

Authors: Nate Berg

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