Neighbors have a chance on Tuesday to learn about the future of the South Wake Landfill, located on the border of Apex and Holly Springs.
Wake County leaders say the landfill, which opened in 2008, is running out of space and it’s time to create a plan for the years ahead. Neighbors have also complained the smell coming from the landfill is overpowering.
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Wake County Solid Waste Director John Roberson said the landfill is nearing capacity, and action is needed now to prepare for the future.
"For most folks you put your waste in your garbage can at your street, and you forget about it," Roberson said. The truth of the matter is we all need to focus a little bit more on those kinds of things. It’s important to know where your waste goes [and] how it’s being dealt with."
Wake County is primarily weighing three options -- get a new landfill, ship solid waste out of the county or build a waste-to-energy facility.
Roberson said the increased cost of construction makes those potential changes more expensive.
"Inflation certainly has an impact on this kind of work," Roberson said. "It’s not easy to do, and we just have to go into it with our eyes wide open that that can change, but we need to be honest about that as it goes forward."
WRAL News last reported on neighbors' concerns about a stronger smell coming from the South Wake Landfill in September 2025. At that time, Roberson attributed the smell to recent gas system expansion and the opening of a new section of the landfill.
Neighbors can take an online survey to weigh in on the landfill's future or attend one of the following open house-style sessions to speak with county staff and the landfill study team:
- June 23: 5–7 p.m. at the Downtown Cary Park (Academy Pavilion), 327 S. Academy St., Cary
- June 25: 5–7 p.m.at the Walnut Creek Wetland Center (Neuse Room), 950 Peterson St., Raleigh