SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL

SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL

A landfill is a designed facility where solid waste is ultimately disposed of. It is the most common and acceptable mode of solid waste and accounts for about 54% of all waste disposal methods.  The purpose of landfills is to dispose of waste with minimal environmental pollution. The main types of landfills are municipal solid waste, industrial waste construction and demolition, and hazardous waste landfills. Municipal solid waste landfills collect and dispose of household garbage. They are located in areas with minimal threat to environmental pollution. Landfills are mostly preferred due to the low operational cost involved. (Beaven & Scheutz, 2019)

A typical landfill is made up of four components. .

This is the bottom liner system that creates a barrier between the trash and leachates and groundwater. The cell section where trash is prepared for the ultimate repository. The leachate collection system is located at the bottom of the landfill and is designed to trap and collect any liquid that seeps through the landfill. The methane collection system harnesses landfill gases, mainly methane. The stormwater drainage system that controls runoff during rain and a final cap or cover to keep the compacted trash dry.

Landfills are convenient and cheap to use and help in keeping the environment clean. They help in reducing the emission of greenhouse gases. Waste serves as a source of renewable energy. They offer employment and health benefits. They also help in land reclamation. The main problem of landfills is the production of toxins and leachates, which leak into underground water and soil. If not properly managed, they can cause serious environmental issues. (Khalaf-Kairouz, 2017)

Landfill remediation involves techniques that help in removing pollutants from the site. They include containment, extraction, and soil washing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

References.

Beaven, R., & Scheutz, C. (2019). Landfill gas emission monitoring. Waste Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2019.02.039

Khalaf-Kairouz, L. (2017). Post wars solid waste. Waste Management, 68, 1–2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2017.09.006

‌Manomaivibool, P. (2018). Tourism and Municipal Solid Waste Management in Developing Economies: Challenges and Opportunities. Open Access Journal of Waste Management & Xenobiotics, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.23880/oajwx-16000112

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