A landfill is a site for the disposal of waste materials. It is the oldest and most common form of waste disposal, although the systematic burial of waste began in the early 20th century. Landfills are engineered and managed facilities for the disposal of solid waste. They are designed to minimize the effects of the trash on human health and the environment. Todays landfills must meet stringent design, operation, and closure requirements established under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) .
Some key information about landfills includes:
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Types of Landfills: Landfills are regulated under RCRA Subtitle D (solid waste) and Subtitle C (hazardous waste) or under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Subtitle D focuses on state and local governments as the primary planning, regulating, and implementing entities for the management of nonhazardous solid waste, such as household garbage and nonhazardous industrial solid waste. Subtitle D landfills include Municipal Solid Waste Landfills, Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris Landfills, and Industrial Waste Landfills.
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Environmental Impact: When precipitation falls on open landfills, water percolates through the garbage and becomes contaminated with suspended and dissolved material, forming leachate. If this is not contained, it can contaminate groundwater. All modern landfill sites use a combination of impermeable liners several meters thick, geologically stable sites, and collection systems to contain and capture this leachate. It can then be treated and evaporated. Landfills also produce landfill gas, which is a mixture of gases that can include methane, carbon dioxide, and volatile organic compounds. Landfill gas can be collected and used as a source of energy.
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Operation: The daily operation at a landfill includes dumping of waste into a specific area of the landfill, called a working face, followed by compaction (crushing) of the waste and then covering of the waste with soil. Waste is dumped into an open area of the landfill called a cell. Class 3 landfills almost always just have one cell open at a time to accept waste. At the same time, another cell is being built.
In summary, a landfill is a site for the disposal of waste materials, and it is an engineered and managed facility for the disposal of solid waste. Landfills must meet stringent design, operation, and closure requirements established under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). They are designed to minimize the effects of the trash on human health and the environment.
