FAQs
Who owns and operates the Sampson County Landfill?
The currently active municipal solid waste landfill is owned and operated by Sampson County Disposal, LLC, which is a GFL company.
GFL Environmental is the fourth largest environmental services company in North America, with locations across the United States and Canada.
Where is the Sampson County Landfill?
7434 Roseboro Highway Roseboro, NC 28382.
Located approximately 6 miles west of the City of Clinton, NC on US Highway 24.
What is a Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Landfill?
A municipal solid waste landfill, as defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency, may accept nonhazardous household, commercial and industrial waste.
MSW landfills are regulated under Subtitle D of RCRA and are permitted and regulated by each of the states. The Sampson County Landfill is operated under a permit issued by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.
More information on MSW landfills and Subtitle D may be found here: Municipal Solid Waste Landfills | US EPA
What types of material are accepted at the Sampson County Landfill?
The Sampson County Landfill accepts only those types of solid waste that are allowed by its state-issued permit and that comply with state and federal guidelines for an MSW landfill. This specifically includes:
- Household and commercial non-hazardous municipal solid waste.
- Industrial non-hazardous special waste, defined as a waste that requires special or exceptional handling.
- Construction and demolition waste as defined in the state regulations.
What types of materials are NOT accepted at the Sampson County Landfill?
Sampson County Landfill is not permitted to, and does not accept, hazardous waste or any waste generated outside of North Carolina.
In addition, the Landfill does not accept certain waste streams that are either required to be recycled (such as cardboard), disposed of at other specifically designated locations (such as electronic waste, lithium ion batteries and tires), or that are liquid or medical wastes.
Are waste materials screened prior to acceptance?
Random load inspections at the scale and working face are required by regulation and permit. The Landfill employees providing such screening have been trained in identification of materials that are not suitable for disposal at the Landfill.
Any material that is, or potentially may be, classified as special waste, meaning special handling may be required must go through an analytical profiling process.
The required waste profile information is provided by the customer/generator (lab testing, safety data sheets, and other technical information) and is sent to a third party that reviews such information, confirms special handling, if any, and confirms what may or may not be accepted in compliance with the Landfill permit.
The facility reserves the right to reject any material even if it is technically allowed to be accepted.
Where does the waste come from?
The Sampson County Landfill only receives waste that is generated within the State of North Carolina. The facility is not permitted to receive solid waste that is generated outside the State of North Carolina.
How much waste can be delivered to the Landfill?
The state-approved waste disposal rate is 5,000 tons per day based on 365 operating days per year.
How is environmental and regulatory compliance monitored?
- The Landfill operates under a solid waste permit issued by NCDEQ, which requires groundwater, surface water, and leachate monitoring.
- The Landfill also operates under separate permits governing air quality and stormwater management.
- The permits require routine inspections, sampling and reporting, and the Landfill employs and engages technical and regulatory experts to oversee compliance.
Are citizens allowed to go onto the Landfill to drop off waste?
The safest way to properly dispose of waste is through the usage of Sampson County’s 12 community drop-off centers that are conveniently located throughout the county.
Does Sampson County Disposal or GFL provide other benefits to the community?
- Sampson County Disposal provides a host fee to Sampson County calculated based on the number of tons accepted at the Landfill. In 2024 alone, the amount paid to the County was in excess of $4,000,000.
- Another GFL entity operates the 12 community drop-off centers where local residents can drop off waste and recycling. Through June 2026, such service is being provided free of charge as a courtesy to the County.
- The Landfill employs members of the community and pays property taxes on the land and equipment owned by the Landfill.
- GFL also provides education and instruction on recycling in the community.
- See our Community Events and Engagement page for more.
What is Special Waste and how is it managed?
“Special Waste” as defined by the North Carolina General Statutes (130A-290(a)(40), means solid wastes that can require special handling and management, including white goods, whole tires, used oil, lead-acid batteries, and medical wastes.
Special waste may include, but not be limited to, process-derived materials/waste, contaminated construction and demolition waste, and any waste that requires special handling procedures; provided that all special waste accepted by the Landfill is non-hazardous. Each special waste is properly identified and profiled for the specific customer. The profile is delivered to our third party consultant who reviews and confirms whether such special waste is acceptable pursuant to the Landfill’s permit. A manifest is required for each load of special waste. The manifest identifies the chain of custody of the waste stream. In addition, special wastes are spot checked regularly for conformance with the program requirements.