Parts of a Municipal Solid Waste Landfill

Electricity generator
building

Landfill Cap - when landfill is closed

Leachate Tank

Vegitation
Soil
Gravel &
Drainage

When a landfill is full, a

layer of soil, plastic and
clay seal in trash.

Pipes collect
methane gas
to flare or use
as fuel.

Gas Collector
Plastic Liner
Clay

Groundwater
monitoring
well for
leachate

Methane gas
recovery well

Trash

Soil
monitoring
well for
leachate
and gas

Landfill components - below trash

Trash
Groundwater

Soil (at some landfills)

Gravel &
Drainage
Leachate
Collection Pipe

Geo Textile Mat

Leachate collection systems can

be gravity fed or pumped into
tanks or retention ponds for temporary storgage before treatment.

Plastic Liner
Clay

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Ground Water - Water that flows beneath the ground

and needs to be protected.

Compacted Clay - A type of soil that is nearly

impermeable when compacted.

Plastic Liner A puncture-resistant plastic layer.

Leachate Collection Pipe Water that percolates through the landfill is
called leachate and may contain harmful substances that needs to
be separated from groundwater.

Geotextile Mat A mat that allows water to percolate through

to the leachate collection system and protects liner from tearing or puncturing.

Gravel and Drainage Layer- Stones and rock that help filter the leachate.
Soil - The final layer before trash is put into the landfill.