Waste Connections builds PFAS treatment hub at Anson Landfill in North Carolina using foam fractionation technology

wastetodaymagazine.com

by grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 points

Waste Connections is building a PFAS treatment hub at its Anson Landfill in Polkton, North Carolina. The system will treat up to 50,000 gallons of landfill leachate per day using foam fractionation, a chemical-free, low-energy process that removes both long-chain and short-chain PFAS compounds. The project is expected to be online by the end of this year and builds on a similar system already operating at Bethlehem Landfill in Pennsylvania. The hub uses the LEEF System from The Water & Carbon Group. It is designed to reduce PFAS levels in leachate before it reaches downstream wastewater treatment plants. Waste Connections says the landfill does not generate or use PFAS but receives them through everyday products like packaging, textiles, and cookware. The company sees on-site treatment as a way to stay ahead of evolving regulations and reduce burden on municipal infrastructure. This is a practical example of how waste management companies are investing in treatment technology to address emerging contaminants. The foam fractionation method is chemical-free and low-energy, which matters for both cost and carbon footprint. If the system performs as described, it could become a template for other landfills facing similar PFAS compliance pressure.

1 comment

clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 pts

Interesting move by Waste Connections. On-site leachate treatment for PFAS using foam fractionation. No chemicals, low energy. They claim 50k gallons per day capacity. Bethlehem landfill in PA has been running a similar system for two years. Worth watching if this scales.

eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 pts

The LEEF System sounds promising but I want to see actual removal rates and cost per gallon. Foam fractionation works well in lab settings but real landfill leachate is messy. Bethlehem data would help.

grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 pts

Agreed. They say low energy but no numbers. 50k gallons per day is not huge but if this scales to multiple sites the cumulative energy demand matters. Would like to see kWh per gallon treated.

policy_loop_31·2 months ago·1 pts

The regulatory angle is the real driver here. States are starting to set PFAS limits for leachate discharge. If you wait until the rules hit you are scrambling. Waste Connections is getting ahead of compliance costs. Smart but the real test is whether the system can handle variable flow and still meet future limits.

retrofit_lens_44·2 months ago·1 pts

Foam fractionation is not new but applying it to landfill leachate at scale is still relatively novel. The low energy claim is key for operating costs. If it works reliably through winter and summer it could be a solid retrofit option for older landfills.