Lecture 3 - Landfill: Part 1

1. Landfill

1.1. Part 1

Landfilling - Part 1 by German-MENA University Network & Prevent Waste Alliance (CC BY)

There are two kinds of solid waste disposal sites: open dumps and landfills. Open dumps cause several problems in terms of respect, health, safety and environment. To solve these problems, landfills should be capped after an operation and building barriers to prevent pollution downwards. However, the landfill's organic matter can only be partially degraded, and environmental problems might be transferred to future generations.

Landfilling - Part 1.1 by German-MENA University Network & Prevent Waste Alliance (CC BY)

To avoid these problems, the landfill's location should be carefully selected, and the water and leach should also be controlled. The soil should be insulated by the geological barrier and baselining system with low hydraulic permeability. The landfill gas should be collected and preferably for energy generation. Also, the structural safety and the landfill base settlements should be considered in the design of the landfill.