The Butterworth Landfill was an unlined, 60 acre landfill operated by the city until 1973, located on marshy land between Butterworth St. SW, Int 96, and the Grand River. It was long used as a dumping ground for large volumes of industrial and household refuse. This more than thirty year old landfill is now under investigation by the EPA, and is listed as a National Superfund Site, high on the priority list due to its dangerous toxic contamination. Since 1973 the city has fenced off the site in order to keep trespassers out. Specifically, there is extensive soil and groundwater pollution (Cadmium, Lead, Arsenic, Chromium, PCB's). A quote from the Grand Rapids Press' coverage in 1991 states, "anyone living on the southwest side is affected by this, as it is upwind from everybody". Between 1967 and 1973 municipal and industrial wastes were disposed there including heavy metals, solvents, and paint sludges that constituted or contained hazardous substances.

In response to the pollution, prompting the landfill to close was the Federal Government's suit of the City of Grand Rapids, General Motors Corp., Michigan Waste Systems Inc., Organic Chemicals Inc., and Wickes Manufacturing Corp.

Geoffrey 15:48, 23 January 2008 (EST)

Geographic coordinates are 42.956485°N, 85.697007°WLatitude: 42°57′23.346″N
Longitude: 85°41′49.225″W