The Tontitown Landfill operation was started by a private property owner in the early 1970s and was first permitted by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) in 1979. In 1984, the landfill was acquired by Sunray Services, Inc., which was acquired in 1995 by USA Waste Services. In 1998, USA Waste Services merged with Waste Management.

Under the ownership of Waste Management, the current landfill disposal areas were built under double composite liner regulations adopted by ADEQ and the Tri-County Solid Waste District, which are more stringent than the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) landfill design standards.

Since 1998, more than $10 million have been spent on the following major environmental and aesthetic improvements:

As a major local industry, Waste Management contributes more than $6.5 million each year to the local economy in salaries and local purchases. The company also pays more than $1.5 million a year in fees to local and state governments. Each year, it contributes more than $65,000 in financial and in-kind support to local community groups, schools and events. The Tontitown Landfill employs more than 65 local men and women and serves many municipalities and counties in Northwest Arkansas.

• Tontitown Graphic Map with Current Footprint