Simone Lawson
Landfills are sites for the disposal of waste materials, and they are the oldest and most common form of waste disposal. They are necessary for the proper disposal of solid waste, and there are about 2,600 landfills that handle municipal solid waste across the U.S. alone. However, landfills pose significant environmental and social concerns, including the release of methane gas, which is one of the most harmful greenhouse gases. This article will explore what constitutes the major portion of landfill waste and the impact this has on the environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A site for the disposal of waste materials |
| Types | Municipal Solid Waste Landfills (MSWLFs), Bioreactor Landfills, Hazardous Waste Landfills, Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) landfills, Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris Landfill, Coal Combustion Residual (CCR) landfills |
| Composition | Solid waste, hazardous waste, household waste, industrial waste, organic waste, construction and demolition materials, coal combustion residuals, etc. |
| Environmental Impact | Release of methane, carbon dioxide, water vapour, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and non-methane organic compounds |
| Concerns | Groundwater contamination, landfill gas, soil liquefaction, environmental risks, health risks, odour, smoke, noise, bugs, water supply contamination, etc. |
| Location | Cannot be built in environmentally sensitive areas, faults, wetlands, flood plains, or other restricted areas |
| Design | Composite liners, flexible membrane, compacted clay soil, leachate collection pipes, geotextile mats, gravel, drainage layers, soil cover, etc. |
| Operation | Weighing, waste compaction, covering with soil or alternative materials, groundwater monitoring, closure and post-closure care, etc. |
| Waste Management | Sorting, treatment, recycling, temporary storage, consolidation, transfer, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Industrial waste
There are several types of industrial waste, including:
- Ash
- Sludge
- Grinding dust
- Liquids with non-hazardous chemicals
- Animal bones, fur, skin, wool, and leather
- Discarded fruits and vegetables
The improper management of industrial waste can have disastrous consequences for the environment and can also risk a business's reputation due to monetary penalties and negative press. Therefore, it is essential to properly manage industrial waste to comply with federal regulations and protect the environment.
Some methods for disposing of industrial waste include recycling, composting, incineration, and landfilling. Recycling and composting are cost-effective and environmentally friendly ways to reduce waste and conserve natural resources. Incineration is a thermal waste disposal method that converts combustible materials into flue gas and ash while generating heat energy that can be used for power generation. Landfilling is the oldest and most common form of waste disposal, where waste is systematically buried, compacted, and covered.
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Hazardous waste
The improper disposal of hazardous waste in regular landfills can lead to serious environmental and health issues. For example, hazardous waste can contaminate groundwater, leading to respiratory problems and other diseases. To address these risks, modern landfills are well-engineered and regulated facilities that follow specific operating practices. They are designed to protect the environment from contaminants and are monitored for signs of groundwater contamination and landfill gas.
Additionally, landfills employ various techniques to manage waste effectively. They use compactors and bulldozers to spread and compact waste, reducing its volume and extending the landfill's lifespan. Daily covering of waste with soil or alternative materials, such as wood chips or sprayed-on foam products, helps control odours, insects, and rodents. Landfills also implement waste-acceptance criteria and utilise wheel-cleaning facilities for waste collection vehicles to prevent the spread of litter outside the landfill boundaries.
While landfills have improved significantly over the years, the disposal of hazardous waste remains a critical issue. The management of hazardous waste requires careful handling and specialised disposal facilities to ensure the protection of human health and the environment.
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Municipal solid waste
The composition of MSW varies across different municipalities and changes over time. In municipalities with well-developed waste recycling systems, the waste stream primarily includes intractable wastes like plastic film and non-recyclable packaging materials. On the other hand, in areas without significant recycling activity, MSW predominantly comprises food wastes, market wastes, yard wastes, plastic containers, product packaging materials, and other miscellaneous solid wastes from residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial sources.
In 2013, organic materials were the largest component of MSW in the United States, with paper and paperboard accounting for 27%, and yard trimmings and food accounting for 28%. Plastics made up about 13%, metals 9%rubber, leather, and textiles 9% The remaining 3% consisted of miscellaneous wastes.
The handling and disposal of MSW is a growing concern, especially as the volume of waste generated in the US continues to increase. MSW generation in the US increased by 93% from 1980 to 2018, reaching 292 million tons per year. Recycling and composting efforts have helped prevent a significant amount of waste from being landfilled. In 2013, about 87 million tons of waste were recycled or composted, and by 2018, 69 million tons were recycled.
To address the challenges posed by MSW, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the US has developed a waste management hierarchy that ranks strategies based on their environmental soundness. The hierarchy prioritizes source reduction and reuse, followed by recycling or composting, energy recovery, treatment, and disposal as the least preferred option. Landfills, which are engineered areas for waste disposal, play a significant role in MSW management, with about 2,600 landfills handling MSW across the US.
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Construction and demolition debris
Construction and demolition (C&D) debris refers to the waste generated during construction, renovation, and demolition activities. These projects include building, road, and bridge construction, as well as other sectors. C&D debris can include a range of materials, such as:
- Concrete
- Asphalt
- Bricks
- Wood products
- Roofing
- Drywall
- Plaster
- Carpet
- Plastics
- Metals
- Steel
- Asphalt shingles
- Clay tiles
Due to the nature of construction and demolition activities, C&D debris often consists of bulky and heavy materials. When not recycled or reused, this waste typically ends up in C&D landfills, which are specifically designed for this type of waste. These landfills are a type of industrial waste landfill, distinct from municipal solid waste landfills.
The management of C&D debris is a critical issue. In 2018, the United States generated an estimated 600 million tons of C&D waste, more than twice the amount of municipal solid waste. This large volume of waste has significant environmental implications. To address this, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed criteria for industrial landfills, aiming to protect the environment and human health.
However, the current disposal system for C&D debris in some states, such as Minnesota, has been criticized for not adequately protecting the environment. In Minnesota, over 90 C&D landfills or portions of landfills lack liners or leachate-collection systems, leading to groundwater contamination. To address this issue, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is proposing new rules and regulatory updates for C&D landfills, focusing on landfill design, operation, monitoring, and closure requirements. These updates aim to bring C&D landfills in line with modern standards and protect the environment from the adverse effects of improper waste management.
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Coal combustion residuals
Landfills are sites for the disposal of waste materials and are the oldest and most common form of waste disposal. Modern landfills are well-engineered and managed facilities for the disposal of solid waste. They are designed, operated and monitored to ensure compliance with federal regulations and to protect the environment from contaminants.
The EPA supports the environmentally sound recycling of CCRs and has developed regulations on the safe disposal of CCR in landfills and surface impoundments. The EPA has finalized national regulations to provide for the safe disposal of CCR from coal-fired power plants. These regulations address the risks from the disposal of CCRs generated from the combustion of coal at electric utilities and independent power producers.
CCRs are considered hazardous waste and are regulated under Subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The objective of the Subtitle C program is to ensure that hazardous waste is handled in a manner that protects human health and the environment. To this end, there are regulations for the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous wastes.
The disposal of CCRs is a complex process that requires careful management to ensure compliance with regulations and to protect the environment and human health.
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Frequently asked questions
The major portion of landfill waste is made up of non-hazardous solid waste, which includes household trash and non-hazardous industrial waste. Municipal Solid Waste Landfills (MSWLFs) are specifically designed to handle this type of waste.
Examples of non-hazardous solid waste that often ends up in landfills include construction and demolition debris, such as concrete, wood, metals, and glass. Additionally, household garbage like leftover paints, cleaners, motor oil, and pesticides can also contribute to a significant portion of landfill waste if not properly disposed of through designated hazardous waste drop-off stations.
Landfills pose significant environmental concerns, including the release of methane gas, which is a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Emissions from landfills can also negatively impact the health of nearby residents, as seen in studies showing an increased risk of congenital malformations in children born to families living close to hazardous waste landfill sites. Additionally, landfills can cause land value depreciation, odor, smoke, noise, bugs, and water supply contamination.
