In a standing-room-only cafeteria at Rock Chapel Elementary, Greenco Environmental got an earful from South DeKalb residents last night.

Residents told Greenco officials they do not want an organic compost plant to open at the Lafarge quarry off of Highway 124 in unincorporated Lithonia

“This is just foolish. We don’t want your trash dump in our county. You were forced out of Barnesville. Why we would we want you here?” demanded Dwayne Hartman.
Greenco was court-ordered to shut down operations in Barnesville, located in Lamar County, after residents there complained about the stench from the compost plant.

Greenco used food waste, yard trimmings and animal carcasses to make an organic soil mix, according to news reports in Barnesville.  

The company is interested in leasing 22 acres at the 1,500-acre Lafarge site in Southeast DeKalb, where it would use a pit to make the compost.

Attorney Michelle Battle, who is representing Greenco, said the company had modified its compost formula, which now includes grass clippings, food waste and cardboard.    

“Yes, this company was forced out of Barnesville and Lamar County we all know that, but Greenco has learned since then and is ready to work with the community—not against it,” Battle said. “Lafarge will work as Greenco’s big brother and if Greenco does anything they shouldn’t, their lease will be terminated.” 

The crowd at last night’s meeting made it clear that it would fight the plant.  Several spoke out against it. No one spoke publicly in favor of it.
DeKalb County Commissioner Lee May, who attended the meeting, said he would support what the people wanted:
“Typically, I let the process go through until the day that we, as a board, make our decision, but I’m going to let you all know right now, I am not going to support this,” May said.

The proposal goes before the DeKalb Community Council on Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m. at Redan Trotti Library, 1569 Wellborn Road, Lithonia.