Saugus Ash Landfill

This is what incinerator ash management looks like inside a “protected” wetland in a densely populated area.

• Staging Area

Fly ash, the fine gray residue from burning trash, contains heavy metals and dioxins. It must be compacted and kept damp to prevent it from blowing into the marsh or nearby homes.

• Capping in Progress

Synthetic liner sheets are rolled out and then covered with soil. Once sealed, they prevent dust from escaping, but until then the ash is exposed. Liners mainly limit rainwater infiltration. They are not airtight, so gases and odors from the ash can still move upward through the soil or around the seams.

• Dewey Daggett Shoreline

Riprap was recently added to stabilize the former landfill’s edge. An unknown substance was observed seeping through the rocks into the water.

The Bottom Line

This site lacks a modern liner system that new landfills are required to use. Instead it relies on the natural clay beneath the marsh. Industry argues that clay works just as well, but this is debated because clay can crack, shrink, or develop holes. It may slow leaching but it cannot fully stop it, and it does not meet modern landfill standards. Both the ash and the containment methods carry long-term risks for the marsh and the surrounding community.

If this was in your backyard, what questions would you be asking?