By : Nia Taylor
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – A class action lawsuit against the Eco-Vista Landfill is moving forward as residents raise concerns about persistent odors and their impact on nearby communities.
The lawsuit centers on nuisance claims tied to odors coming from the landfill, which residents say have affected their quality of life for years.
Kenneth Lovett, one of the lead plaintiffs in the case, said the issue has had a lasting impact on his daily routine. Lovett moved from his home of nine years in February due to the landfill, citing ongoing concerns he believes are linked to the landfill.
“It affects your life… every day, every minute you’re thinking about what you can do next. I had headaches, nausea and dizziness,” Lovett said.
Other residents living near the landfill echoed similar frustrations, saying the facility should not have been built so close to residential neighborhoods.
“It shouldn’t have ever been built here in a residential area,” one nearby resident said.
While some residents have described a range of concerns, including possible health effects, attorneys involved in the case say the lawsuit itself focuses specifically on nuisance claims related to odor.
“It deals with a nuisance based on the odors… and our contention is they’ve failed to properly control those odors,” said attorney Ken Osborne.
Osborne said attorneys are actively looking for residents within about a two-and-a-half mile radius of the landfill to join the class action lawsuit.
If the plaintiffs prevail, the court could require changes aimed at reducing ongoing odors and increasing oversight of landfill operations.
City leaders say they are aware of complaints coming from residents and have taken steps to respond.
“We have citizens that have gone to the hospital,” Tontitown Mayor Angela Russell said.
Russell also said the city has opposed further expansion of the landfill, citing concerns about its potential impact on nearby neighborhoods and overall quality of life.
Beyond Tontitown, officials in Fayetteville say they were among the first to raise concerns about how much waste is being sent to the landfill.
Environmental Director Peter Nierengarten said the city has been working to reduce the amount of waste transported to the site through diversion efforts, including recycling and composting programs.
Nierengarten said Fayetteville aims to reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill by 40% as part of its broader sustainability goals.
As the case moves forward, residents, city leaders and attorneys continue to watch closely, with many saying the outcome could shape how landfill operations are handled in the region. For those living nearby, the lawsuit represents not only a legal battle, but an effort to address long-standing concerns about daily life and the environment around them.