The Refuse District is a rare example of regional cooperation providing a needed municipal service: solid waste disposal and a wide range of recycling programs. The District was formed in 1979 with the signing of an Inter-Municipal Agreement amongst the towns of Acushnet, Dartmouth and Fairhaven with the City of New Bedford. Acushnet and Fairhaven soon dropped out, but Dartmouth had land available for a landfill, and New Bedford was willing to put up 80% of the design, engineering and construction costs to start a 70 acre landfill. After fifteen years of lawsuits, regulatory changes, and heated community discussions, the Crapo Hill Landfill was built and opened for business in January 1995. It accepts 400 tons per day. The District is governed by a District Committee, three from New Bed