Landfill at Williams Elementary and Lincoln Middle School

In the backyard of Joseph Williams Elementary and near Lincoln Middle School in Gainesville, Florida lies a former city landfill. Active in the late 1950s, the landfill was deemed a “necessary evil.” Decades later in 2020, testing has revealed toxins at a concentration up to 218 times higher than what is considered safe. While some remediation has occurred, a full cleanup has not been completed (The Intercept).

The site’s history highlights the importance of environmental justice, ongoing monitoring, and community involvement to protect students and residents. Awareness and action are key to ensuring a safe and healthy environment for the neighborhood.