Landfill gas's main component is highly explosive methane. There are additional toxic compounds in the gas that the DEP acknowledges cause cancers. Much of this foul-smelling gas will be released to the air over Southbridge, Sturbridge and Charlton.

Residents of Sturbridge, Southbridge and Charlton have been complaining for years about the odors from the Southbridge Landfill. If these problems intensify, all of the neighborhood homes within 3-4 miles of the dump could be devalued.

Casella plans on burning the methane gas for energy.  They are implying that they will be capturing all of the gases generated by the landfill, which is impossible given the technology being used and patently untrue. Landfills that generate electricity release more gases into the air than facilities that flare (burn off the methane).