Horry County Leaders Hesitant on Landfill Expansion Plan

Officials consider 100-acre expansion to extend landfill lifespan, but some council members express concerns over wetland impacts.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Horry County officials are considering a 100-acre expansion of the Highway 90 landfill to extend its lifespan through 2051, but some county council members are hesitant to approve the plan due to concerns over filling in 120 acres of wetlands. The Solid Waste Authority has applied for a federal permit to allow the expansion, but council members have questioned whether increased recycling or other waste disposal options could be explored instead.

Why it matters

The landfill expansion is a critical infrastructure decision for Horry County as it grapples with managing its growing solid waste needs. However, the environmental impact on local wetlands is a major concern for some council members who want to explore alternative solutions that may be less damaging to the ecosystem.

The details

The Solid Waste Authority has been working towards expanding the Highway 90 landfill, which would increase the overall size to more than 1,800 acres. Officials say the expansion is necessary to extend the landfill's lifespan through 2051, but council member Dennis DiSabato, whose district includes the landfill, has questioned whether mandatory countywide recycling or other options like incineration could be viable alternatives that avoid impacting 120 acres of wetlands.

  • The Solid Waste Authority applied for a federal U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit in December 2025 to allow the wetlands to be filled.
  • Public comment on the permit application closed on January 19, 2026.

The players

Dennis DiSabato

A Horry County Council member whose district includes a large portion of the Highway 90 landfill.

Horry County Solid Waste Authority

The county agency responsible for managing solid waste disposal and has been working towards expanding the Highway 90 landfill.

Tom Ballou

A consultant for the Horry County Solid Waste Authority.

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What they’re saying

“You can do it as safely as possible and you can do it as perfect as you can, and it's still going to an unpopular perception from the community, filling in wetlands for trash.”

— Dennis DiSabato, Horry County Council member

“It's our determination the least damaging, practicable alternative to achieve our project purpose is in fact the construction of three new cells on the existing Highway 90 facility.”

— Tom Ballou, Consultant, Horry County Solid Waste Authority

“I just have a hard time accepting the fact that the recommendation would be to fill in 120 acres of wetlands when we have not explored every option that may be available.”

— Dennis DiSabato, Horry County Council member

What’s next

The Horry County Council has not yet voted on the landfill expansion proposal, and officials are still waiting to receive public comments on the permit application from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The takeaway

The proposed landfill expansion in Horry County highlights the difficult tradeoffs local governments must make between managing waste, protecting the environment, and addressing community concerns. As the county weighs its options, finding a balanced solution that minimizes wetland impacts while meeting long-term waste disposal needs will be crucial.