ROOTED IN DECADES OF EXCELLENCE
OUR LEGACY
For 35 years, our staff has been at the heart of our mission—mentoring, innovating, and upholding the values of integrity and responsiveness that define who we are.
ALL IN ON THE FUTURE
Smith Gardner has always been committed to our clients, and their projects, for the long haul. That long view shapes how we approach each project—balancing today’s needs with tomorrow’s impacts.
Since our founding in 1991, we’ve helped guide the solid waste industry forward. We’re proud of our legacy of innovative solutions including designing North Carolina’s first Subtitle D landfill closure, creating the first Gravity Groundwater Intercept System for a landfill expansion, and co-developing Florida’s first exposed membrane closure.
Today, as an employee-owned firm licensed nationwide, we continue to lead with future-focused solutions grounded in integrity, responsiveness, and technical excellence. We’re grateful to our partners, clients, regulators, and staff who have stood with us to build a lasting legacy of protecting communities and advancing environmental stewardship.
1991
Dr. Gregory N. Richardson, P.E., founded G.N. Richardson & Associates, Inc.
1991
U.S. government promulgates Subtitle D of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act to address growing concerns regarding non-hazardous wastes.
1993
Subtitle-D rules of solid waste management become effective.
1996
U.S. EPA finalizes New Source Performance Standards and Existing Source Emission Guidelines for Control of Emissions from Municipal Solid Waste Landfills.
2001
Firm designs and constructs first Subtitle-D Landfill Closure in NC.
2001
Firm designs/implements the first "Rain Gutter" cap drainage system.
2003
EPA finalizes National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for MSW Landfills, adding record keeping and LFG control requirements.
2006
G.N. Richardson & Associates, Inc. changes to Richardson Smith Gardner & Associates, Inc.
2006
Firm designs the first Gravity Groundwater Intercept System for a landfill expansion.
2006
S+G becomes one of the first firms to become a Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) Verifier of landfill carbon credits, verifying over 3 million tons of carbon credits.
2007
NCDEQ Revises C&D Landfill Permitting rules.
2007
NC promulgates the Solid Waste Management Act of 2007.
2009
S+G co-designed the first Exposed Membrane Landfill Closure (Florida).
2012
Change to Smith Gardner, Inc. This change represented the successful transition of ownership from our founder.
2012
S+G awarded U.S. EPA Site Refuse Award for SC Superfund Site.
2012
S+G Opens office in Columbia, SC.
2016
U.S. EPA finalizes New Source Performance Standards and Existing Source Emission Guidelines.
2020
NCDEQ reviews and updates solid waste regulations for transfer stations and MSW and C&D landfills.
2023
NCDEQ requires PFAS monitoring at all landfills in North Carolina.
2026
Smith Gardner celebrates our 35th anniversary.