Landfill Construction & Maintenance in Oneida County & Central New York
30 Years of Landfill Experience. From Cell Construction to Post-Closure.
Landfill construction and maintenance contractor in Oneida County and Central New York. HAZWOPER certified. Cell construction, cap installation, leachate systems, gas systems, and post-closure maintenance.
Landfill Services Across Central New York
Landfill construction and maintenance is one of the most specialized categories of earthwork. Every phase of a landfill’s lifecycle requires an excavation contractor who understands the regulatory framework, the engineering standards, and the daily operational demands of a solid waste facility. The work is not just digging. It is cell construction to precise grades, liner system support, leachate and gas collection infrastructure, daily and intermediate cover placement, cap installation, post-closure monitoring, and years of recurring maintenance.
Hale Excavation is a veteran-owned, licensed, and insured contractor with over 35 years of construction experience. Our owner’s first superintendent role was on a landfill project in Central New York in 1994. He has managed landfill earthwork continuously since then, including cell construction, closure projects, and long-term maintenance contracts. That 30-year track record is what we bring to every landfill project.
We hold the HAZWOPER certification required for work on solid waste facilities and the HDPE pipe welding certification required for leachate collection and transfer piping. These credentials are not common among local excavation contractors, and they are essential for landfill work.
We serve solid waste authorities, municipalities, private waste management companies, and environmental engineering firms throughout Central New York and Upstate New York. Free consultations on any landfill construction or maintenance scope.
Signs You Need A Landfill Contractor
A New Cell Needs to Be Constructed
Expanding an active landfill requires constructing new cells to engineered specifications: excavation to subgrade, subgrade preparation, liner system support, leachate collection infrastructure, and access road construction. The work must coordinate with the facility’s operational schedule and meet DEC and EPA requirements.
A Cell or Section Needs to Be Capped and Closed
When a landfill cell or section reaches capacity, it must be capped with an engineered cover system. Cap installation involves final grading of the waste surface, placement of barrier layers, topsoil application, and seeding for long-term vegetative stabilization. The cap must meet the closure plan approved by the regulatory authority.
The Leachate or Gas Collection System Needs Construction or Repair
Leachate collection systems use HDPE piping to collect and transfer liquid that percolates through the waste mass. Gas collection systems capture methane generated by decomposition. Both require specialized piping, certified HDPE fusion, and careful installation to maintain the integrity of the liner system.
The Facility Needs Ongoing Maintenance Under Contract
Active and post-closure landfills require recurring earthwork: cover soil placement, cap repair, access road maintenance, stormwater system upkeep, erosion repair, and monitoring well access. A maintenance contract with an experienced landfill contractor keeps the facility compliant and operational without managing the work project by project.
An Engineering Firm Needs a Qualified Earthwork Subcontractor
Environmental engineering firms that design landfill systems need an excavation contractor who can build to their specifications, coordinate with on-site staff, and maintain the documentation required for regulatory compliance. We work as the earthwork subcontractor to engineering firms on landfill projects throughout the region.
Types of Landfill Work We Handle
- Landfill Cell Construction & Expansion
Excavation and preparation of new landfill cells to the engineer’s design. This includes subgrade excavation and compaction, drainage layer construction, liner system support (anchor trench excavation, soil protection layers), leachate collection pipe installation (HDPE fusion), and access road construction. We build to the grades and specifications in the construction quality assurance plan.
- Landfill Cap & Cover Systems
Installing daily cover, intermediate cover, and final closure caps. Daily cover is placed at the end of each operating day to control odor, vectors, and litter. Intermediate cover is applied to areas that will not receive waste for an extended period. Final closure caps are engineered barrier systems that seal the completed cell per the approved closure plan. We handle all three levels of cover.
- Leachate & Gas Collection System Support
Installing, repairing, and extending HDPE piping for leachate collection, leachate transfer, and landfill gas extraction. Our HDPE fusion certification allows us to install these systems in-house rather than subcontracting the pipe work. We also excavate for collection sumps, manholes, and monitoring points.
- Post-Closure Maintenance & Monitoring Earthwork
After a landfill closes, it enters a post-closure monitoring period that typically lasts 30 years. During this time, the cap must be maintained, the leachate and gas systems must remain operational, access roads must be kept passable, and erosion or settlement must be repaired. We provide recurring post-closure maintenance contracts that cover all earthwork needs for the monitoring period.
Why an Experienced Landfill Contractor Matters
Landfills Operate Under Strict Regulatory Oversight
Every phase of landfill construction, operation, and closure is regulated by the NYS DEC and the EPA. Construction quality assurance plans, liner integrity, leachate management, gas management, and closure requirements must all be met. An experienced landfill contractor understands these requirements and builds to them without the learning curve that costs time and money.
Every Move on the Liner Must Be Calculated
The geomembrane liner is the most critical component in a landfill. A single puncture or tear can compromise the entire containment system. Equipment operation on or near the liner requires specific procedures: designated haul routes, protective soil layers, and careful grading. Our crew has worked around liner systems for decades and understands how to protect them.
HAZWOPER and HDPE Fusion Are Not Optional
Landfill work requires HAZWOPER certification for worker safety and HDPE pipe welding certification for leachate and gas system piping. These are not optional credentials. Without them, a contractor cannot legally or competently perform this work. We hold both certifications.
Long-Term Relationships Keep the Facility Running
Landfill maintenance is not a one-time project. It is a multi-year relationship where the contractor learns the facility, understands its operational patterns, and anticipates maintenance needs. Our 30-year track record in landfill work means we bring institutional knowledge to every facility we serve, reducing the coordination overhead for facility operators.
What Landfill Work Includes
The scope depends on the project phase and the facility’s needs, but typical landfill work includes:
Cell excavation and subgrade preparation: Excavating to the design subgrade, compacting the surface, and preparing it to receive the liner system. Subgrade must meet strict flatness and compaction tolerances.
Liner system support: Excavating anchor trenches, placing soil protection layers above and below the geomembrane, and providing equipment support during liner installation by the liner contractor.
Leachate collection system installation: Installing HDPE collection pipes, sumps, and transfer lines using certified butt fusion. Pipe grades must be precise to ensure leachate flows to the collection points.
Gas collection system support: Excavating for gas extraction wells, header pipes, and collection manifolds. Installing HDPE gas piping with certified fusion.
Cover soil operations: Hauling, placing, and grading daily, intermediate, and final cover materials. Cover placement must maintain specified thicknesses and grades.
Cap construction: Grading the final waste surface, placing barrier and drainage layers per the closure plan, applying topsoil, and seeding for permanent vegetative cover.
Access road construction and maintenance: Building and maintaining haul roads, access roads, and equipment pads within the facility.
Stormwater management: Maintaining perimeter drainage, sedimentation ponds, and diversion channels to keep clean stormwater separated from contaminated leachate.
Post-closure earthwork: Repairing settlement, erosion, and cap damage. Maintaining access to monitoring wells, leachate systems, and gas systems throughout the post-closure period.
Excavation and Site Work Across Every Job Type
Seven service types covering every excavation need — residential, commercial, municipal, and industrial. If it involves moving earth, managing water, or building infrastructure, Hale handles it.
Site Preparation
Land clearing, building pad prep, topsoil work, subgrade, and final cleanup
Grading
Rough and finish grading, lot leveling, slope correction, drainage grading, and retaining walls
Drainage Solutions
French drains, catch basins, culverts, dry wells, and stormwater management
Septic Systems
New installation, repair and replacement, leach field work, and emergency service
Underground Utilities
Water and sewer lines, HDPE pipe fusion, utility trenching, and storm drains
Commercial Maintenance
Site maintenance, snow plowing, commercial mowing, and landfill maintenance
Related Services
Landfill maintenance is part of our year-round maintenance offering. We also provide snow removal, commercial mowing, and general site maintenance under recurring contracts.
Landfill work overlaps with our environmental earthwork services. HAZWOPER certification, contaminated soil handling, and regulatory compliance apply to both.
Leachate and gas collection systems use HDPE piping joined by certified fusion welding. We install these systems in-house as part of our landfill services.
Get in touch
Three Decades of Major Project Experience
Hale Excavation LLC is a new venture led by Eric Hale, who brings extensive experience in landfill construction, environmental remediation, road construction, and federal projects. He has worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Forest Service, the Air Force, and major environmental firms throughout his career.
1991
Laborer & Surveyor
- Auburn, NY · Cayuga County
Eric returned from the Army to work full-time in construction while staying in the Army Reserves. Joined the apprenticeship program to become a certified operating engineer during this project (completed 1997, a certification he still holds).
1993
Laborer · Surveyor · Heavy Equipment Operator
- Malone, NY · Franklin County
Eric took on expanded field responsibilities on this project, working across three trades: laborer, surveyor, and heavy equipment operator.
1994
Laborer · Surveyor · Heavy Equipment Operator
- Frankfort, NY · Herkimer County
Constructed leachate collection and site drainage in 1994–95. Landfill closure completed in 1996. Gas removal windmill built in 1997. Eric worked across all phases of this multi-year project.
1998
Superintendent (First Time)
- Sodus, NY · Wayne County
Eric’s first job as a project superintendent — the beginning of his transition from the field to project leadership.
2008
Superintendent
- Wampsville, NY · Madison County
Cell 7 liner system construction on the Madison County Landfill. By this point Eric was running full field operations independently.
2012
Project Manager (First Time)
- Stanley, NY (Ontario County) + Morrisonville, NY (Clinton County)
Two of the largest projects Eric managed in his first year as a project manager. He worked on several other projects that year, but these were the biggest. Marks his transition from field superintendent to full project management.
2022
Senior Project Manager
- Middlesboro, KY + McGuire Air Force Base, NJ
2022 marked the first time Eric ever worked outside of New York State. He worked as senior project manager on both federal projects, plus several others that year.
2025
Founder · Owner · Director of Operations
- Sauquoit, NY · Oneida County
Eric founds Hale Excavation LLC — bringing 35 years of experience home to Central New York. From here we serve Oneida County, the Mohawk Valley, Herkimer, Madison, and surrounding counties. The scale is more personal now. The standards, work ethic, and project management discipline are exactly the same.
Projects listed above were completed under previous employers. They represent Eric Hale’s personal project resume and experience. Hale Excavation LLC was founded in November 2025.
Serving Central New York and the Mohawk Valley
From Utica and Rome through the Mohawk Valley, north into Lewis County, west across Onondaga, south into Chenango and Cortland — we work the full Central New York region. Our home base is Sauquoit, and our standard service radius is one to two hours from Utica. For the right project, we travel further.
How long have you been doing landfill work?
HAZWOPER stands for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. It is a federal OSHA standard (29CFR1910.120) that requires specialized training for workers who handle hazardous substances or work on contaminated sites. Our crew holds this certification, which is required for any environmental excavation involving regulated materials.
Do you hold the certifications required for landfill work?
Our owner managed his first landfill project in 1994 and has been involved in landfill construction and maintenance continuously for over 30 years. This is not a new service line for us. It is our deepest area of expertise.
Do you work with engineering firms on landfill projects?
Yes. We hold HAZWOPER certification under 29CFR1910.120 for hazardous waste operations and HDPE pipe welding certification for leachate and gas collection system piping. Both are required for landfill construction and maintenance.
Do you offer recurring maintenance contracts for landfills?
Yes. We regularly work as the earthwork subcontractor for environmental and civil engineering firms on landfill construction, closure, and maintenance projects. We follow the engineer’s design, coordinate with on-site CQA staff, and maintain documentation for regulatory compliance.
How do I get a consultation for landfill work?
Call us at (315) 982-3673 or contact us online. Whether you are planning a new cell, preparing for closure, or need a maintenance contractor, we are available to discuss the scope and provide a proposal.
Landfill Questions
