Numerous safety violations have been detected at the fast-growing landfill. It’s part of a larger pattern of problems with how the U.S. handles waste

Schmidt-Pathmann believes it’s in Benton County’s best interest to consider the long-term costs — both monetary and nonmonetary — of hosting Coffin Butte. Long after that landfill runs out of space, it will need to be managed. “You will have to maintain a landfill forever. It’s like taking a loan from the bank without ever planning to pay it back,” Schmidt-Pathmann said. “At some point, the bank — or the environment — will come collecting.”