Garbage day is just around the corner. As you roll thier container to the curb, you might feel a twinge of remorse. If you recycle or compost, some items will still have to go to the garbage dump landfills have a poor reputation for damaging the natural, no matter how much you recycle or compost. Although this image may appear to be accurate, it isn’t always.
To the extent possible, modern landfill science has made it possible for today’s trash collection facilities to minimise their environmental impact.
Today’s Sanitary Landfills and how they function
In what ways does a sanitary landfill differ from other types of waste disposal facilities?
We used to just dump our garbage out in the open. Few precautions were introduced to separate waste first from surrounding environment at these dumps, which were not being monitored. A lack of barriers meant that toxic substances and gases could easily contaminate the surrounding environment. Mosquitoes as well as other disease-carrying pests could also breed in these areas. Landfills are still associated with a soiled image in the minds of many people. Although this is no longer the case, most landfills are now classified as sanitary. Only in areas of criminal dumping do open dumps still exist.
A sanitary landfill separates waste from the surroundings using a framework of layers meant to ensure that waste decomposes in an environmentally friendly manner. However, most dumpsites collect methane gas and use that to produce energy, keeping everything out of the air. Methane is a leading cause of climate change.
Layers of Operation in Sanitary Landfills
Sanitary landfills work by depositing waste into a large hole and allowing it to decompose. A third of California County’s garbage is sent to Puente Hills, a landfill 500 feet below ground level. Experts in landfill gas monitoring keep an eye out for leaks in the groundwater as materials decompose.
The Liner System is the first layer of construction.
To prevent liquids from permeating the bottom of either a modern landfill, a layer of compacted clay is laid down at the bottom. A high-density plastic liner is installed on top of the clay to provide additional protection.
The Drainage System, the Second Level of Protection.
As some waste decomposes, it releases a liquid. In addition, rain and snow can carry other pollutants to the bottom of a landfill. There are a variety of methods for capturing and transporting leachate, including installing perforated pipes directly on top of the liner or at a wastewater treatment facility.
The Gas Storage System is the third and final layer.
When organic waste decomposes, it releases methane, which is a greenhouse gas that has a negative impact on the climate. Natural gas, on the other hand, is primarily composed of methane. Modern landfills use gas extraction wells to turn biogas into power, which is then piped to care units and power plants for further processing.
The Trash Itself is the fourth layer.
There is a large area of both the landfill where trash is collected and then compacted. Every day, a new rubbish is coated with a thick of dirt that acts as a barrier against odours and pests.