New York City continues its transformation of a former landfill into a city green space and park. The park is at the site of the former Fresh Kills landfill – once considered the world’s largest garbage dump – and its gas wells collect a level of methane sufficient to heat over twenty thousand homes.

The site is three times larger than Central Park and it is estimated that the conversion project will take close to thirty years and $140 million dollar to complete. The site has been closed as a landfill for over ten years and while the transformation is currently under-weigh, residents are skeptical on the ability to change a former eyesore into a place of recreations.

Despite the skepticism, the former landfill has been sealed and capped according to strict environmental regulations and has been deemed a safe location. However, there is still much work to do.

In March of 2012, the city began work on the solar- and wind-power stations that will occupy the site. That, along with the methane containing gas wells, will provide energy to city residents. In addition, a small section on the northern section of the site will open as a playground and on the southern end, a soccer field will be operational by the end of the year.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: If the world’s most infamous landfill can recreate itself as a recreation site and community park, what can you do to improve your town or business’s waste disposal and waste recycling habits?