"We’re Suffering"

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — Imagine living in a community where you are forced to breathe the stench of a nearby landfill, placing your health and that of your loved ones at constant risk and compromising the quality of life of everyone in your community.

This is the problem faced by the residents of Egg Harbor Township's Bel-Aire Lakes, a 55+ community which is a stone’s throw from a landfill. It is so close that residents can see the top of the landfill from their homes. 

“The smell comes around, and sometimes it’s so strong, we can’t breathe, "said Pearly Cupid Mitchell. "We’ve put towels under the doors to try to keep it out, but it still gets in,” 

For Walter Sill, a 20-year resident of Bel-Aire Lakes, the smell from the nearby landfill is more than just discomfort. “It’s embarrassing when you want to have company over, and the smell hits,” Sill said. He recalls nights when the odor was so overpowering, it drove residents indoors.

He says that it's a constant reminder of the health problems he and his neighbors face along with the negative impact on their quality of life.

Several residents have raised concerns about respiratory and other health issues potentially linked to the hydrogen sulfide emissions from the landfill. “It’s horrible," said Mitchell. It’s making people sick.”

Like many of her neighbors, Mitchell has experienced health issues she believes are linked to the landfill. “About three years ago, my husband inhaled something, and soon after, he was diagnosed with cancer,” she shared. “I also had a lump on my face, and I had to go to the hospital to get it treated. It’s scary. 

"But it’s more than that," she continued. "There are people here with cancer, and we can’t help but wonder if the landfill is to blame.”

For decades, residents living near the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) landfill in Egg Harbor Township have raised concerns about the facility’s impact on their health and quality of life.

“There’s a whole group of us who have filed a lawsuit,” Sill said. “We don’t know the outcome yet, but we’re hoping for some resolution. We just want to live in peace.” With a lawsuit pending, and new housing developments underway, the issue may be reaching a boiling point, and it is sparking debate over accountability, public health, and the future of waste management in Atlantic County.

Mitchell’s story echoes the concerns of other residents, many of whom have battled cancer or respiratory problems. “Most people here have cancer,” she said. “It’s not just us — it’s the whole community.” 

Despite efforts to push back against the landfill, including a petition to stop its expansion, Mitchell feels her voice has been ignored. “We tried to fight it, but more people moved in, and nothing changed,” she said. “Now they’re talking about expanding the landfill even more. It’s bad— it’s really bad.”

Bob Dunn, another longtime resident, shared in Mitchell and Sill’s frustrations. 

“It stinks, how about that?” Dunn said. “I’ve lived in this town my whole life, and the landfill was here before I moved in. I guess I should’ve known better, but I still hope they resolve it. It’s not just about the smell—it’s about our health and our community.”

Atlantic County Executive Acknowledges Complaints 

In an exclusive interview with Atlantic City Focus, Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson acknowledged the residents’ concerns but emphasized the challenges of balancing waste management with community health. 

“We have 337,000 tons of trash to dispose of every year,” Levinson said. “Landfills smell — it’s a fact of life. When we built this landfill, it was in an industrial area with no homes nearby. Developers came in and built housing developments, and now we’re dealing with the consequences.” 

Levinson also addressed the health concerns raised by residents, stating that the ACUA meets all state and federal environmental standards. “We’re addressing the issue as we speak, and we’ve been addressing it for years,” he said. “Whether the landfill is the cause of their health issues, I can’t say. That’s something the courts will have to decide.”

‘It will be in the hands of the courts now’

When asked about the lawsuit filed by residents and the county’s plan to ensure future landfill operations don’t harm the community, Levinson expressed empathy but noted the legal complexities. 

“It’s a problem, and it is in litigation, so it’s difficult for me to respond the way I would like to respond,” Levinson said. “It will be in the hands of the courts now. I understand we have to pay for it, and they have to pay for it. It is an expensive proposition, and we have no assurances of who’s going to win and who’s not.”

Levinson admitted there is no specific timeline for resolving the lawsuit, comparing it to the slow pace of legal proceedings often seen on TV crime shows. “It’s the system—it’s a slow process,” he added.

New Developments, Old Problems 

As if the current issues aren't enough, adding to the controversy, DR Horton, one of the largest home construction companies in the U.S., is building a new development of 660 homes in Egg Harbor Township, even closer to the landfill. Levinson expressed frustration with the decision, noting that it could lead to more complaints. 

“The developers are building these homes knowing full well that the landfill and airport are nearby,” Levinson said. “It’s a classic case of ‘buyer beware,’ but it’s unfortunate that we’re likely to see more complaints down the line.”

Environmental Monitoring and Transparency 

The ACUA conducts regular environmental monitoring to track emissions from the landfill, including hydrogen sulfide, a gas known to cause respiratory issues at high concentrations. Levinson emphasized that the data is shared transparently with the public and that the landfill operates within legal limits. "We have a board at the ACUA with representatives from surrounding towns,” Levinson said. “We do the very best we can to mitigate the odor and emissions, but the alternative —shipping our trash elsewhere — comes with its own set of problems.”

A Call for Action 

For residents like Mitchell, Sill and Dunn, the landfill issue is more than just an inconvenience, it’s a crucial matter of their health and well-being. 

“I’d be much happier if the smells were totally gone,” Sill said. “They keep saying the landfill will shut down in 2025, then 2027. We just want answers and action.” As the lawsuit progresses and new developments rise near the landfill, the debate over waste management and community health continues.

For now, residents are left waiting for solutions, while officials contend with the complex realities of balancing growth, environmental responsibility, and public health.

(This story was produced as part of the Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University's South Jersey Information Equity Project fellowship and supported with funding from the Independence Public Media Foundation, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and the NJ Civic Information Consortium.)

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