Disposal by Sanitary

Landfill
Sanitary Landfill is a land disposal site employing an engineered method of
disposing of solid wastes on land in a manner that minimizes environmental
hazards by spreading the solid wastes to the smallest practical volume, and
applying and compacting cover material at the end of each day.
Site Selection

• Restricted locations such as wetlands, flood plains, and seismic impact areas
• Public opposition
• Proximity to major roadways
• Load limits on roadways and bridges
• Underpass limitations
• Traffic patterns and congestions
• Location of the groundwater table and sole-source aquifers
• Soil conditions and topography
• Availability of cover material
• Climate (e.g., floods, mud slides, snow)
• Zoning requirements
• Buffer areas around the site (e.g., high trees on the site perimeter)
• Location of historic buildings, endangered species, and similar environmental factors
Operation

Area method uses a three-step process: spreading the waste, compacting the waste, and
covering the waste with soil (daily cover).

The waste and daily cover placed in a landfill during one operational period form a cell.

The waste is dumped by the collection and transfer vehicles onto the working face. It is
spread in 0.4-0.6 m layers and compacted.

A lift may refer to the placement of a layer of waste or the completion of the horizontal
active area of the landfill.

The first lift is called a fluffy lift because the waste is not compacted until 2 m of waste is
deposited.
Operation (Cont.)

Benches are used where the height of the landfill exceeds 15-20 m.

Final cover is applied to the entire landfill site after all landfilling operations are complte.

Example Problem:

Determine the area required for a new landfill site with a projected life of 30 years for a
population of 250,000 generating 2.02 kg/capita/day. The density of the compacted waste
is 470 kg/m3. The height of the landfill cannot exceed 15 m.
Environmental Considerations

Leachate is a liquid that passes through the landfill, extracts dissolved and suspended
matter from the waste material.

Landfill gas (LFG) collection systems can be active or passive. Active systems provide a
pressure gradient to force the gas from the cells. Passive systems allow a natural pressure
gradient to build up, which causes the gas to move from the cells into the collection
devices.
Landfill Closure

Modern final cover design consists of a surface layer, biotic barrier, drainage layer, hydraulic
barrier, foundation layer, and gas control.

Completed landfills have been used for recreational purposes, such as parks, playgrounds,
or golf courses. Parking lots and storage areas are other final uses.