Milpitas Landfill Odor Management Embraces Drone Technology

Milpitas, a city in California's Silicon Valley, faces an odor issue from a 342-acre landfill. Residents have experienced unpleasant smells for decades. The operators of Newby Island landfill, under local authority orders, plan to use drones and monitors to track and manage the chemicals causing these odors. They are also automating the collection of landfill gases. The landfill's operators commit to safe operation and air quality protection. In the U.S., there are no federal regulations for environmental odors, prompting states and local governments to address the issue. Technologies to tackle industrial odors can remove over 90% of bad odors but can be expensive. Cheaper solutions often mask smells rather than remove them.