Download Landfills - Methacton School District

Any waste produced by
the community (homes,
business, schools)
Does not include waste
from construction,
industry or agriculture
4.5 lbs of trash produced/
person/ day
Americans produce 2x as much
trash compared to the world
average
 USA produced 250 million tons
of trash in 2010.
 Since 1960, MSW has
continued to increase. More
trash produced now than ever.
We burn it, bury it or
recycle it.
EPA 2013 Waste Breakdown
32.5% recycled
12.5% burned
55% goes to landfills
State
Recycled
Combusted
Landfill
Est.Total
Recycle
%
PA
4,465,949
3,084,639
5,902,677
14,249,335
32%
NJ
4,346,256
2,129,852
4,384,975
10,880,082
40%
NY
2,246,064
3,686,097
10,263,710
17,525,006
13%
OH
2,461,594
0
9,126,809
12,729,405
19%
DE
152,919
0
672,761
1,022,328
15%
Landfill= structured area
for trash deposit with
regulations
Dump= hole where trash
is dumped
• Rarely used in the U.S.
• Not regulated
• Area where anyone can come
and dump their waste (any
sort of waste)
• Smelly & a health hazard
• Pests and animals found here
• Contaminates water/soil
• Fire hazard from methane
release
• Regulated area where
communities pay to have trash
taken care of
• Precautions in place to stop
contamination of water & soil
• Contains a liner to protect from
contamination
• Supposed to allow only certain
materials into landfills
Anatomy of a Working Landfill Bottom up…
Daily Cover
At the end of each day, waste is covered with 6-12 inches of soil.
• reduces odors
• keeps litter from blowing away
• deters scavengers/animals/rodents
Waste
Waste is compacted in layers to reduce its volume.
Sand/Gravel Layer
Collects leachate (liquid produced from waste) and funnels it to leachate
pip system below.
Leachate Pipe System
Pipes collect leachate and pump it out of the landfill and to a water
treatment plant, retention pond, or another proper method of disposal.
Geomembrane – Plastic Layer
A thick plastic layer lines the landfills and prevents leachate from entering
the ground. The plastic is made from high-density polyethylene which is
tough and impermeable.
Clay Layer
Compacted Clay is first laid in the landfill space to form a barrier to prevent
leachate leaks to protect the soil and hold the trash in place. Clay is used
due to its moldable and impermeability qualities.
• Contamination of water/soil
• Methane production  lead to fires or explosions
• Sinking  over time, trash settles and sinks; makes
landfills hard to build on
• Communities do not want landfills near their
homes
• Consider location when building
• Height of water table, is it near any faults, is the
area prone to landslides or sinkholes?