What is Landfill and Waste?
A landfill is a designated area or site where waste
materials are disposed of and buried. It is a common method of solid waste
disposal. Landfills are engineered facilities designed to handle and manage
waste in a controlled manner to minimize environmental and public health risks.
Waste refers to any unwanted or discarded materials or
substances that are no longer useful or needed. It can include various types of
materials, such as household waste, commercial waste, industrial waste,
construction and demolition waste, and more. Waste materials can be solid,
liquid, or gaseous in nature.
When waste is taken to a landfill, it is typically deposited
into designated areas called cells. The waste is compacted and spread out in
layers, with each layer often covered with a layer of soil or other materials
called "cover" to reduce odors, control pests, and minimize the
potential for contamination.
Landfills are designed to contain and isolate waste from the
surrounding environment to prevent pollution and health hazards. Modern
landfills employ liner systems, which include layers of impermeable materials
like clay or synthetic liners, to prevent leachate (liquid generated from
waste) from seeping into the soil and groundwater. They also have systems to
collect and manage methane gas, a byproduct of the decomposition of organic
waste in landfills.
Landfills are subject to regulations and monitoring to
ensure proper waste management and environmental protection. They are typically
designed with systems for leachate collection and treatment, methane gas
management, and groundwater monitoring to mitigate potential impacts on water
quality and air emissions.
It's important to note that while landfills are a widely
used waste disposal method, there is increasing emphasis on waste reduction,
recycling, and other sustainable waste management practices to minimize the
amount of waste sent to landfills and promote a more circular economy.
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