Neighbors and concerned citizen protested Tuesday morning against an agreement to allow the landfill in Northeast Travis County to expand by 75 feet.
Travis County is agreeing to the deal as long as BFI closes the landfill in 2015.
Protestors spoke outside commissioners' court on Tuesday morning against expanding the landfill. They say a 75-foot increase will make it reach 795 feet, which is 10 feet higher than Mt. Bonnell.
During the protest, activists displayed a letter signed by more than 70 people who also oppose the agreement. Among them are Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton and Austin City Council members Mike Martinez and Sheryl Cole.
Neighbors of the landfill have rejected this deal unanimously on several occasions. They say the landfills have been cited more than 20 times since 2002 and have received 800 complaints from citizens about the odor and pollution since 2001.
"The communities most affected by this landfill don't want the expansion, so don't agree to it. And we urge the commissioners to listen to their constituents and vote against this deal," former Austin City Council member Brigid Shea said.
Neighbors oppose expanding the landfills because they say they're not compatible with the existing and projected population, economic, housing and land use trends.
Travis County Commissioners will vote on the agreement on Oct. 30.