Brookhaven Landfill Action & Remediation Group (BLARG): Environmental Justice in Action
Brookhaven Landfill Action & Remediation Group (BLARG) is an organization working to address the environmental and public health impacts of the Brookhaven Landfill in North Bellport, one of the most overburdened communities in Suffolk County.
What They Do
BLARG advocates for the closure, cleanup, and long-term accountability of the Brookhaven Landfill while promoting sustainable waste alternatives. Their efforts include:
Organizing residents around environmental justice and public health
Pressuring local and state leaders to investigate hazardous ash, toxic emissions, and unequal siting of waste infrastructure
Launching grassroots composting and food scrap programs using bike-powered collection systems to reduce methane and engage youth
Collaborating with scientists, public health experts, and legal advisors to support community-driven remediation
Why It Matters
North Bellport residents—predominantly Black and Latino—face elevated asthma rates and a life expectancy up to 20 years shorter than other Suffolk County communities. The Brookhaven Landfill, long used as a dumping ground for outside waste, poses significant health and environmental threats. BLARG’s work addresses these inequities head-on, combining local leadership with systems-level advocacy.
Their work is a national example of what community-based environmental justice can look like: bold, data-informed, and grounded in lived experience.
How You Can Support
Fund BLARG’s community composting and youth engagement programs
Collaborate on policy advocacy, environmental monitoring, or legal strategy
Volunteer as a scientist, educator, or communications advisor
Learn more at: https://www.landfillaction.org