Kin-Buc Landfill

Overview

The Kin-Buc Landfill is a 220-acre inactive landfill in Edison Township, New Jersey. It operated from the late 1940s until 1976, accepting hazardous waste as a State-approved facility from 1971 until New Jersey revoked its permit for environmental violations. The site received an estimated 70 million gallons of liquid waste, including 3 million gallons of oily waste containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), along with more than 1 million tons of solid waste. It was added to the National Priorities List (NPL) in September 1983.

Contamination spread beyond the landfill boundaries through leachate seeping into nearby wetlands and Edmonds Creek, a tributary of the Raritan River. EPA identified 21 contaminants of concern across groundwater, leachate, and sediment. These include PCBs, benzene, vinyl chloride, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and several other volatile organic compounds and metals. PCBs were found in sediment along Edmonds Creek, Rum Creek, and the Raritan River, as well as in surface water and shallow groundwater beneath the site.

Cleanup was organized into two operable units (OUs). OU1 covers the landfill itself. Between 1993 and 1997, crews installed a slurry wall around the two main landfill mounds and placed a cap on them. An on-site treatment facility was built to handle contaminated groundwater and leachate. About 25 million gallons of contaminated groundwater and leachate have been extracted, treated, and discharged to the Raritan River. OU2 covers the waterways and wetlands. Roughly 9,400 cubic yards of PCB-contaminated sediments were excavated from adjacent wetlands between 1994 and 1995. Additional work to remove buried drums and restore the shoreline finished by 2002. Operation and maintenance for the waterways and wetlands is expected to continue through the end of 2026.

EPA has confirmed that human exposure is under control, groundwater migration is stabilized, physical construction is complete, and the site is ready for anticipated reuse. The landfill cap blocks direct contact with contaminated materials, and the slurry wall prevents contaminants from migrating outward. EPA conducted its most recent five-year review in December 2023. Despite the progress, the site has not yet been deleted from the NPL.

Community members with general questions can contact EPA's Community Involvement Coordinator. Technical or remedial questions can go to the Remedial Project Manager. Site documents are available for in-person review at the EPA Superfund Records Center at 290 Broadway, 18th floor, New York, New York 10007.