When it comes to garbage, it is never too late to plan.

That’s Waste Management’s approach as the company is making plans to close its landfill in 10 years.

Waste Management’s landfill permit expires in December and the multi-million dollar company is preparing a landfill permit renewal and modification so it can continue to efficiently serve the area. Waste Management is asking the New Mexico Environmental Department to renew its permit for 10 years.

To have more space for trash, Waste Management plans to modify its landfill. The company wants to have a vertical expansion up to 50 feet until an alternative site can be secured and have an improved storm-water management system.

The 101-acre site off 33rd Street north of Northern Boulevard may close sooner if the population continues to grow at its present rate.

Waste Management cannot expand past 50 feet vertically and horizontally. Engineers say it is geometrically impossible.

So, the question is what do you do with 101 acres of trash. That’s where the public comes in. Waste Management wants to hear ideas, concerns and comments from residents on what should happen to the landfill.

Waste Management held a community meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn on Tuesday.

But, Waste Management officials did not hear many suggestions on what to do with the land in 10 years from the 20- plus people who attended the meeting.

No, several people in the audience expressed a desire for the landfill to close and locate elsewhere.

Arun Mehra said that with Rio Rancho growing at its rate and with several homes in the vicinity of the landfill, that Waste Management should move its trash dumping location.

“I think it should be placed in a better location and the trash transported somewhere where there is not many people living,” Mehra said. “There is an abundance of land in New Mexico being the fifth largest state in area and low in population. It should not be a problem. To the west (of Rio Rancho), the sky is the limit.”

While some residents don’t want the landfill in their area, the landfill was there first.

The landfill was established in 1985 to meet the community’s waste disposal needs. Waste Management purchased the site in 1988. In 1990, Waste Management secured a solid waste permit that specified environmental safeguards including a clay liner, leachate collection systems, groundwater monitoring wells and a gas monitoring system.

Waste Management obtained a permit modification in 1993 to enhance environmental protections beyond New Mexico Environment Department requirements. It included a state of the art liner system and a final cover. It became one of the first landfills in New Mexico to use this system and meet U.S. EPA requirements.

The environment department has conducted regular monitoring since 1985. Results found no environment impacts and there have been no permit requirement violations.

Waste Management general manager Calvin Ivey said that if the landfill were to close than rates would increase.

The closest Waste Management owned landfill to Rio Rancho is 66 miles away in Valencia County. With the rising cost of fuel, the transportation costs won’t be cheap.

Ivey did not say what the cost would be, but he did explain that it would be more than the present rate of $11 a month.

The rate cannot be increased without city council’s approval. Waste Management entered into a 10-year agreement with the city in January of 2008 and any rate increases must come through the city.

Ivey, however, explained that Waste Management has been a good citizen and neighbor in Rio Rancho. The multi-million dollar company contributes to community events and charities in the area and has never incurred a Notice of Violation from the New Mexico Environmental Department.

Regarding property values, Ivey said Waste Management had an independent study performed that pointed out that property near a landfill has no correlation on prices. He said that property near the landfill in Rio Rancho did not decrease in value.

In a separate independent study, Ivey said that 91 percent of Rio Rancho residents polled said they were either satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their service from Waste Management.

The landfill is just another example of how the young city of Rio Rancho is experiencing growing pains.

When the landfill was sited in 1985, it was literally in the middle of nowhere, but now it is in the center of development.

The plans for the site after it is closed include a BMX bike park, eco park and hiking trails.

Ivey said community meetings like the one held Tuesday are important.

“We want the community to come out and we want to hear their comments,” Ivey said. “We want to address their concerns about the landfill and work with the community because we are a part of the community.

Some residents got a first-hand tour of the landfill on Saturday, where Waste Management officials discussed the company’s plans to close the landfill, expansion plans and permitting process.

Waste Management has been pro-active in minimizing the impact of the landfill on the surrounding community. This includes a litter reduction program on site and buffer areas. Careful attention has been paid to truck routing and operation hours to minimize the affect of operations on surrounding homeowners.

Waste Management of New Mexico is a vital part of the fabric of New Mexico, offering convenient, economical hauling and disposal services, while protecting natural resources. At Waste Management’s landfills, public health and environmental protection are top priorities.

Waste Management is the leading provider of comprehensive waste and environmental services in North America. The company is strongly committed to a foundation of financial strength, operating excellence and professionalism.

Waste Management tailors its services to meet the needs of each customer group and to ensure consistent, superior service at the local level.

Headquartered in Houston, the company’s network of operations includes 429 collection operations, 366 transfer stations, 289 active landfill disposal sites, 17 waste-to-energy plants, 138 recycling plants and 85 beneficial-use landfill gas projects. These assets enable Waste Management to offer a full range of environmental services to nearly 21 million residential, industrial, municipal and commercial customers.

Waste Management believes the issues surrounding the quality of our earth, air and water are big issues and they call for big solutions. At WM, merely complying with laws and regulations designed to stop environmentally damaging practices is not enough, not by a long shot. WM is always looking for ways to use its knowledge and experience for a greater good, because it is plainly and simply the right thing to do.

WM invests time and resources in the development of innovative ideas that produce measurable results, because the results not only provide immediate benefits, but also produce critical new knowledge that can be shared with others. WM joins resources with regulatory commissions, communities, citizens and other companies to seek solutions together.